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
seven grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, and three great great
grandchildren surviving..She is preceded in her death by her parents,
husband, three sisters, and three brothers.
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
