Melvin Lawrence Kiehna, 95 died at 4 p.m. on January 29, 2015, in the Randolph County Care Center in Sparta, Illinois. He was born January 5, 1920, in rural Pinckneyville, Illinois, the son of Henry and Bessie (Egbert) Kiehna. Survivors include his sons, Ron and Cheryl Kiehna of Herrin, Dennis and Joy Kiehna of Steeleville, and Marc and Susan Kiehna of Steeleville; grandchildren Julie and Dan Netemeyer of Belleville, Angie and Richard Gadwood of Frisco, Texas, Brittany and Troy Myers of Steeleville, Christopher and Rebecca Kiehna of Steeleville, Lauren Kiehna of Lawrence, Kansas, and Megan and Isaac Smith of Bloomington, Indiana; great-grandchildren Nicole Kettwich, Ryan Netemeyer, Savanah Gadwood, Katelyn and Hannah Myers, and Oliver, Alexandra, and Elliot Kiehna. Mel was anxiously awaiting the birth of his ninth great grandchild due in February. Also surviving are older brother Wayne Kiehna of Greenville, Tennessee and younger sister Margaret Lamont of Freeburg, Illinois, nieces and nephews. Larry, Jim, Jack, Karen, and Rob Kiehna. He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife of 73 years, Nathalie Rose (DesRocher) Kiehna who passed away on June 5, 2014. He was also preceded in death by brothers-in-law Paul Coleman, Fred Lamont, sister-in-law Catherine Kiehna, and nephew Rick Kiehna. Melvin, who was affectionately called "Mel" by friends and relatives, attended the rural Jenkins and Bigham schools then Pinckneyville High School where he earned his high school diploma in 1939. During his high school years he participated in gymnastics, excelling on the still rings and parallel bars. He worked on the family farm and attended the First Baptist Church in Denmark. He found the love of his life and married Nathalie Rose DesRocher in Percy on June 27, 1941. Mel and Nat moved to the Chicago area and set up a home while Mel worked in a local steel mill. When World War II started Mel joined the Navy and did his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. He was trained as an electrician at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. Mel traveled to the Pacific and was stationed at Cavite in the Philippines. Although trained as an electrician, he spent most of his time during the War driving troops to and from ships and military bases around Manila. After the War, Mel and Nat built a home in Percy where they raised their 3 boys. The skills Mel learned at Purdue would be put to use in his career with the Rural Electrical Authority and Illinois Power Company. He worked at IP in Sparta for 32 years until his retirement in 1985. Mel served as a member of the Trico School District 176 Board of Education, belonged to the Percy American Legion Post 1145, and was a member of the Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union No. 702. He attended the First Baptist Church of Percy and was an avid St. Louis Cardinal Baseball fan. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3rd at Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville, with Pastor S. Blake Duncan officiating. Burial will be in the Percy Village Cemetery in Percy. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 PM on Monday at the funeral home and on Tuesday morning until the time of service. Memorials may be made to the Randolph County Care Center. To sign guestbook visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net.