Melvin Felts

Melvin Shin Felts, age 76, of Marion, died Wednesday, October 10th at 4:10 p.m. at his home. Visitation began at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, October 13th, with the funeral service at 1:00 P.M. at Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home. Rev. Jim Sloan officiated. Burial with military rites by Marion VFW Post #1301 followed at Maplewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of Southern Illinois. Mr. Felts was born October 17, 1924 in Pittsburg to Troy and Vivian (Williams) Felts. They preceded him in death. He married Mary Sanders on April 25, 1945 in Marion. Mr. Felts was a member of First Methodist Church of Marion. He was a U.S. Navy Veteran of World War I I, serving on the U.S.S. Lexington where nine hundred Japanese planes were shot down. He earned ten Battle Stars and six Presidential Citations. He participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf where three Japanese carriers were destroyed, the Battle of Philippine Sea, supported the Iwo Jima and Okinawa invasions, and provided support in the occupation of Japan. He was discharged at wars end. He was a member of the Marion Masonic Lodge #89 A.F. & A.M. and the Marion Shrine Club. He was a former board member and past president of Marion Unit 2 School District, former board member of Banterra Bank, and past president of the Illinois Association of General Contractors. He retired from Fabick Machinery Company, where he was Branch Manager. He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Marion; one son & daughter-in-law and two daughters & sons-in-law, Jerry & Julie Felts, Sherry & Greg Starrick, and Marsha & Joe Holderfield, all of Marion; six grandchildren, Ryan (& Sara) Starrick, Monica, Felecia, and Marionna Felts, Casey and Dylan Holderfield, one brother and sister-in-law, Floyd Mice & Inge Felts of Evans, Georgia; one Sister-in-law, Madleyn Felts; four nieces: Diana Felts and Pam, Pat, and Gobi. He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Paul Gene, Robert, and Larry Felts.