Melvin Earl Tucker

Melvin Earl Tucker, 90 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2023 at his residence. He was born December 3, 1932, in Naylor, MO. Melvin was a member of the First Pentecostal Church in Dupo, IL., for 47 years. Melvin had worked in the research lab for Mallinckrodt and Monsanto. He received a minor in mathematics & education and a major in chemistry. He taught math and science for Millstadt Grade School, Columbia High School and 25 years at St. Clair Christian Academy. Melvin and his wife Margaret owned the Columbia Sewing Company and Melwood Industries for 35 years. Surviving are his loving wife of 70 years, whom he married on December 28, 1952, Margaret Ann Tucker, nee Higgerson, his children, Regina Ann (Jim) Frierdich, Pamela Sue (Wayne) Davis, and Kathleen Elizabeth (Mark) Creasy, his grandchildren, Robyn Ann (Nathan) Gomez, Kelly Geneva (Jason) Doss, Marcus Eli (Tasha) Creasy, Kenneth Wayne Davis, Faren Marie Frierdich, Ashley Marie (Jamie) Johnson, Samantha Elizabeth Arnold, and Cassandra Lane Conger, his great-grandchildren, Elena, Raquel, Autumn, Landon, Jayla, Alex, Joshua, Elijah, James, Liam, Dallas, Bentley, Elise, Allen, Jordyn, Colton, Miles, McKynlee and Blakley, his half sisters, Margaret Ann Carroll and Caroletta Pryor, along with numerous nieces, nephews cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Sr., and Mary Magdalene, nee McNew, Tucker, his siblings, William Tucker, Eulean Cover, Eva Littles and James Tucker Jr. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 20, 2023 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm, and on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm at the First Pentecostal Church in Dupo, IL. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the First Pentecostal Church in Dupo, IL., with Rev. Dan Batchelor, Rev. Jason Hoffmann, and Rev. Nathan Gomez, officiating. Interment will follow in the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia, Illinois. The family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to First Pentecostal Church of Dupo 400 Louisa Ave, Dupo, IL 62239. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo, IL.

Melvin Earl Tucker

December 3, 1932 - February 17, 2023