Rosalie M. Melvin, age 98, of Oquawka, passed away at Courtyard Estates on Monday March 3, 2025 at 7:02am. Rosalie was born on May 17, 1926 and is the daughter of Clyde Emery and Rosa Hintermeister Moffitt. Rosalie was raised near Biggsville and attended rural country schools in Biggsville Township and graduated from Biggsville High School in the class of 1943. She then attended a year in bookkeeping at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. Rosalie married Andrew M. Melvin on January 18, 1948 in the United Presbyterian Church in Biggsville. He preceded her in death on August 25, 2013. Rosalie began work at Norris Office Equipment in Monmouth in retail sales and later was employed by the Civilian Conservation Corp in Henderson County as a clerical. In 1962, she began work for the Henderson County Circuit Clerk’s office in Oquawka and then she became court reporter for the State of Illinois for five counties, which she did for twenty more years. Rosalie was accomplished on the piano, playing at times over the years in church and other events around Biggsville.. She has been a member of both the Oquawka United Methodist Church and the Biggsville United Presbyterian Church. Rosalie also has been most active in the ” Heritage Trail ” and the Oquawka Museum. She also was active with the ” Kings Kids ” at the Oquawka United Methodist Church. Her main enjoyment in her life was being part of her family, her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. She enjoyed being a farm wife and later, in retirement, attending their river front home in Oquawka.
Rosalie is survived by her daughter, Anne Hass and Leonard of Oquawka, Illinois and two sons, Dennis Melvin and Carrie of Oquawka, Illinois and Edward Melvin and Lynda of Monmouth, Illinois. There are numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren surviving.
Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka is in charge of her care and currently plans for cremation which will be accorded. Her family does plan at service of celebration at the Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka on Saturday April 12, 2025 at 11:00 am. Her family plans visitation and will be at the Oquawka Funeral Home from 10:00 am to 11:00 am prior to the service. Memorial funds have been established for the Oquawka Museum or the Oquawka United Methodist Church. To leave a remembrance or for more information please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com
