MURPHYSBORO - Melvin R. Brush quietly passed away at the Jackson County Rehab and Care Center in Murphysboro at 8:05 a.m. on Saturday, January 14, 2012 surrounded by his family and friends. Mr. Brush was born 13 April 1926 the third son of Charles F. and Sadie B.(nee Hamilton) Brush at Raddle in western Jackson County, IL. On Thanksgiving Day, 28 November 1946 at St. Andrew Church in Murphysboro he was married to his high school sweetheart, Athalie (Tillie Jo) Hiser of Sand Ridge. Melvin enjoyed a lifelong interest in agriculture having farmed the ancestral homestead in the Bottoms near Raddle. He and Tillie Jo raised three sons on the farm along with cattle, hogs, and chickens. He tended acres of corn, beans, wheat, milo and fields of alfalfa and clover hay while working for Twin County Service Company at Murphysboro. He was a member of the Jackson County Farm Bureau. He was a member of the John A. Logan College Charter Board of Directors and took pride in that institution's founding in 1967 and its subsequent development. He was a faithful member of St. Andrew Parish in Murphysboro where he also enjoyed fellowship in the Knights of Columbus Council 988. Melvin was a regular in the KC kitchen on bingo nights and assisted with funeral dinners. His team was legendary for its fried chicken and fish dinners at the hall. Mel enjoyed chatting with farmers about anything related to farming and playing cards with his kids and grandkids. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, three sons: Mike of Murphysboro, Stephen (Deanna) of Carlinville and Brad of Anna. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Stephany (Jeff) March of Columbia, IL, Ryan Brush of Carlinville, Katelynn and Jacob Brush of Anna. In addition he leaves two great-grandchildren: Dylan and Lucas March of Columbia. Sisters-in-law, Laura Brush, Annabelle Jarrell and Ruth Hiser all of Florida also survive along with numerous nephews, nieces and cousins. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Homer and John Brush. A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Murphysboro on Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Gary Gummersheimer and Fr. Leo Hayes concelebrating. Burial will follow at Glenn Cemetery near Raddle. Visitation will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home in Ava on Tuesday from 4:30 to 8 pm with the rosary being recited at 7:30 pm and on Wednesday from 7:30 am until 9 am. Memorials are suggested for St. Andrew School or the Glenn Cemetery Association.