A funeral will be held Friday for 85-year-old Gerald “Jerry” Xavier Melliere of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, who passed away at 1:10 am, Monday, April 14, 2025 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Illinois.
He was born to the late Xavier Francis and Christine (nee Hoffmann) Melliere on August 17, 1939, in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. They preceded him in death.
Jerry married Judith “Judy” V. Garleb on August 4, 1962, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Waterloo, Illinois; she preceded him in death on November 2, 2005.
He is survived by children: Suzanne (Mark) Wilson of Prairie du Rocher, IL, Sandra (Mark) Ottoson of Waterloo, IL and Roger (Christina) Melliere of Prairie du Rocher, IL; a sister: Joy (Bob) Stafford of Florissant, MO; a brother: Ronald (Jeanette) Melliere Modoc, IL; a brother-in-law: Delbert Kueker of Prairie du Rocher, IL; two sisters-in-law: Pat Garleb of Valmeyer, IL and Donna Garleb of French Village, MO; seven grandchildren: Cynthia Wilson, Tiffany (Andrew) Stellhorn, Kenneth (Samantha) Wilson, Andrew Ottoson, Ashley Ottoson, Cassidy (Kyle) Cowell, and Austin Melliere (Nadia Bowling); six great grandchildren: Cailyn Wilson, Abby and Ellie Stellhorn, Kade Cowell, Isabella Wilson, and Xavier Melliere and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was also preceded in death by a sister: Fay Kueker, and three brothers-in-law: August Garleb, Leroy Garleb and Louis Biernbaum
He has been a lifelong farmer and a Randolph County Farm Bureau member.
Jerry was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Renault, Illinois. He was very active in his church and served on the cemetery committee, usher, elder, trustee, and money counter over the years.
Jerry had been in the bowling league at the VFW in Red Bud, Illinois, and also played men’s softball. He enjoyed tractor pulls and collecting model trains and tractors. He also looked forward to the purple Martin birds returning to the area each year.
Visitation will be 9 a.m. to noon Friday at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Renault, Illinois
A funeral for 85-year-old Gerald “Jerry” Xavier Melliere of Prairie du Rocher will be held at 12 noon Friday, April 18, 2025 at the Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Renault, Illinois. The Rev. Royal Boeder will officiate.
Interment will be in the Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery, Renault, Illinois
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer Association or to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Renault, Illinois.