Gerald “Skip” W. Mallender, 71, of Ellis Grove, Illinois, passed away at 5:20 am, Friday, July 22, 2022 at Memorial Hospital, Chester, Illinois.
He was born to the late George Henry and Alice (nee Predegar) Mallender on January 8, 1951 in Belleville, Illinois.
Skip married Kathleen Rene DeHoff on June 12, 1987 in Chester, Illinois; she survives.
He was a former coal miner for Peabody Coal, had worked as a Security Therapy Aid for Chester Mental Health Center and then was a Stationary Engineer for Menard Correctional Center before retiring.
Skip was a former member of the Ellis Grove Fire Department where he served as Assistant Chief, former President of the Mississippi Valley Gun Club, was a hunter safety course instructor and a National Rifle Association recruiter. He was also a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post No. 3553 in Chester, a Master Mason at Lodge No. 72 in Chester and Lodge No. 427 in Red Bud and a proud member of the Ainad Shriners in East St. Louis.
He was a Vietnam War Marine Corps veteran.
Survivors:
Wife:
Kathleen “Rene” Mallender Ellis Grove, IL
2 Children:
C.J. Mallender (Fiancee Jamie Bierman) Ellis Grove, IL
Anthony Wayne Mallender Chester, IL
2 Grandchildren:
Arabella Renee Mallender & Henry Matthew Mallender
Preceded in Death by: Parents and In-laws – Fred & Shirley DeHoff
It was Skip’s wish to be cremated.
Visitation:
Saturday – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
Memorial Service:
12:00 pm, Saturday, July 30, 2022
Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
Masonic Service:
11:30 am, Saturday, July 30, 2022
Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois
Officiating:
Rev. Phillip Keeton
Interment:
New Palestine Cemetery
Walsh, Illinois
Memorials:
Shriners Hospitals for Children
American Heart Association