STEELEVILLE - Melvin "Fritz" Wilson, 87, of Steeleville, passed away at 6:55 pm, Sunday, February 10, 2013 at the Memorial Hospital in Chester. Melvin was born in Ellis Grove, IL on August 19, 1925, the son of Albert and Alma (Diercks) Wilson. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bremen. He married Dorothy Reimer on June 14, 1947. Melvin served in the U.S. Army from December 1943 until April 1946. He was a member of the Peace Lutheran Church, Steeleville. He retired from Spartan Printing as a Journeyman Pressman after 36 years in 1988. Melvin was a proud lifetime member of the Steeleville American Legion B.B.K. Post #480 and Kaskaskia VFW Post #3553, Chester. He was also a member of Graphic Communications International Union Local 383. Melvin grew up on the family farm in rural Chester. He proudly and happily owned and worked a portion of that farm for 30 years after his parents' retirement. He loved family, farming, fishing, playing Pinochle and being Democrat. Melvin is survived by his wife, Dorothy of Steeleville; one son, Jerry (Judy) Wilson of Steeleville; two daughters, Joan (David) Dotson of Sparta and Connie (Stan) Gaertner of Ellis Grove, IL; five grandchildren, Jennifer Wilson of Steeleville, Kelly (Dane) Walls of Ellis Grove, Molly (Curt) Ebers of Chester, Christina (Josh) Dunnigan of Marion, IL and Steven Dotson of Sparta; two great grandchildren, Hoyt Walls and Reese Ebers; two brothers, Edgar (Helen) Wilson of Chester and Delbert (Leona) Wilson of Arnold, MO; three sisters, Alberta Ruebke of Percy, Maydell (Howard) Ernsting of Iverness, FL and Darlene (Kenneth) Lohman of Red Bud, IL; one sister-in-law, Esther Wilson of Chester; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Earl Wilson of Chester; and brother-in-law, Larenz Ruebke of Percy. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, February 14, 2013 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Steeleville with Rev. S. Blake Duncan officiating. Burial will follow in Paradise Cemetery in Steeleville with military graveside rites under auspices of Kaskaskia VFW Post #3553. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home in Steeleville, where friends may call on Wednesday from 5 to 9 pm with American Legion service at 8 pm and on Thursday from 7:30 am until 9 am then from 10 to 11 am at the church. Memorials may be given to the Peace Lutheran Church.