Melba Joan Gonzalez, 85, of Red Bud, Illinois, passed away at 11:13 pm, Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Garden Place in Waterloo, Illinois.
She was born to the late Theodore J. and Ila M. (nee Burch) Moll, Jr on September 15, 1937 at her home off of St. Leo’s Road in Evansville, Illinois.
Melba married Richard M. Gonzalez on August 22, 1959 at St. Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale, Illinois; he preceded her in death on January 18, 2023.
She attended Belleville Junior College and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. While attending SIUC, she was a captain in the Air Force ROTC and under went basic training at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama. After training, she got to fly home to Scott Air Force Base in a T-33 jet trainer.
Early on she worked as a lab technician at Carbondale and Herrin Hospitals. On April 14, 1978, she went to work for Dr. Pichet and Dr. Meechai in the office until she retired after 23 years on April 14, 2001.
She was a longtime advocate for the developmentally disabled and served in numerous organizations. Melba also had a variety of interest but decorating her home and back yard was her favorite. She enjoyed auctions, flea markets and antique malls. She was an avid reader, enjoyed her computer and word seek puzzles.
Melba and her husband enjoyed traveling especially their trips to Mazatlan, Mexico, Zapopan, Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque, Mexico. Melba was thrilled to go with her daughter, Marisa, on a grand tour of Florence, Rome and Naples, Italy and with her mother, Ila, to Yellowstone National Park.
She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud, Illinois and enjoyed working the annual picnic.
Survivors:
2 Children:
Stephen E. (Lynne) Gonzalez Prairie du Rocher, IL
Marisa B. (Joseph) Bearden St. Louis, MO
6 Grandchildren:
Andrew J. (Ashley) Bearden, Zachary J. Bearden, Jacob D. Bearden, Celiene M. Gonzalez, Vincent T. Gonzalez and Nathaniel G. Gonzalez
1 Sister:
Rita A. (Jerry) Maxwell Louisville, KY
1 Niece:
Susan (Dr. Andre) Duff Louisville, KY
1 Nephew:
Douglas (Kristen) Maxwell Cincinnati, OH
Several Great Nieces, Great Nephews, Cousins and Friends
Preceded in death by: Parents, Husband, 1 Daughter – Stefani June Gonzalez, 1 Grandson – Eric J. Bearden and her loving “doxie” Sadie
It was Melba’s wishes to be cremated and an Inurnment Service will be held at a later date at St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery, Modoc, Illinois. Donations can be made in Melba’s memory to St. Leo’s Catholic Cemetery or family choice and are being accepted at the funeral home.
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