Melvin Pleines

Melvin G. Pleines, 93, of Hopedale, formerly of Minier, passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Hopedale Nursing Home.

He was born December 27, 1929 in Stanford to Irvin and Ruth Brockman Pleines.  He married Donna Imig on April 14, 1956 in Bloomington, and she passed away May 29, 2023.

Surviving are his brother-in-law, Carroll (Phyllis) Imig of Hopedale; sisters-in-law, Judy (Ed) Howard of Peoria and Ruth Pleines of Hopedale; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Kenneth Pleines; sister-in-law, Marilyn Martin Cremeens; and brother-in-law, Ed Martin.

In his early years, Mel owned his own trucking business in Minier. He then worked for the railroad before going into the United States Army, where he served in Korea and Japan. He spent many years working for the Village of Minier.

He was an active member of Minier Christian Church, member of the Minier American Legion, Tazewell County Farm Bureau, member of numerous water boards serving as president of Illinois Rural Water Association and President of Mackinaw Valley  Water Authority and farmed several years north of Hopedale.

He was an avid collector of Tea Leaf Ironstone China, enjoyed snowmobiling, and traveling.

A memorial service for Melvin and his wife Donna will be at 11:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Minier Christian Church. Pastor Jim Webster will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the service at the church. Burial will be in Minier Cemetery at a later date.  Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont is handling the arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Minier Christian Church or Hopedale Medical Complex.

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