Melvin J. Blaser

Melvin J. Blaser, 90, of Rock Island, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2016 at UnityPoint Health Trinity - Bettendorf.  Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church, Milan.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 201 4th Ave. E., Milan.  Burial with military honors will be in Chippiannock Cemetery.  Memorials may be made in care of Trinity United Methodist Church, Milan.

Melvin was born on January 29, 1926 in Rock Island, the son of William and Irene (Crompton) Blaser.  Melvin married Betty O'Connell on June 19, 1947 at the Milan Methodist Church.  Mel worked for Deere and Company until he was called to serve his country in the U.S. Army.  He later returned to Deere and Company and moved up through the company.  Melvin retired in 1980 as the Central Region Manager and Worldwide Coordinator for Shipping and Distribution of Industrial Equipment. 

Mel was a member of Trinity UMC, Milan.  He served as lead usher and opened the church every Sunday morning for years.  He greatly enjoyed duck hunting, fishing and golf.  He was an avid reader and a diehard Chicago Cubs fan.  Mel loved watching all of his children and grandchildren compete and perform in all kinds of different activities.  He was always there to cheer on and lend support to his family.  In his earlier years, Mel coached baseball in the Taylor Ridge/Reynolds area and was also a Past President of the Rockridge School Board.

Left to cherish his memory are, his wife, Betty; son, Mel (Susan) Blaser; daughters, Pam Versluys, Kathy (George) Bollinger and Marcia Mandle; grandchildren, Josh Bollinger, Jason (Jennifer) Bollinger,  Jennifer (Jamie) Petersen, Andrea (Dave) Smith, Nate (Shanea) Mandle, Carrie (Jake) Montague, Tucker (Anna) Blaser, Tyson (Holley) Blaser, Chris (Dave) Tennant, Thomas (Mellisa) Normoyle, Zachary (Rachel) Versluys; 22 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren and his sister, Janet Watkins

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Robert Blaser

 Service Information