SUBLETTE — Melvin E. Stewart, 82, of Sublette, died Thursday, May 6, 2021 at Heritage Health in Mendota. 

He was born Nov. 22, 1938 in VanOrin, the son of Harold and Irene (Schultz) Stewart. Melvin was a life-long farmer in the Sublette and Maytown area and had also worked at the Sublette Meat Center and was the custodian at the Lee County 4-H Center for 15 years.

He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Maytown, the Holy Name Society and served on the Amboy School Board for seven years.

Melvin married Howardene M. Leffelman on Jan. 4, 1958 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Maytown.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Linda Hillison.

Melvin is survived by his wife, Howardene; children, Martin (Nancy Webster) Stewart, of Dixon, Joseph (Diane) Stewart, of Amboy, Thomas (Jennifer) Stewart, Robert (Jackie) Stewart, and Sabrina (Shawn Benac) Stewart, all of Sublette; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., on Friday, May 14, 2021, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Maytown. Burial of cremains will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery in Maytown. Visitation will be from 9 – 10 a.m., on Friday at the church. 

Memorials have been established to OSF Hospice and the Sublette Fire Department. 

Arrangements by the Mihm-Jones Funeral Home in Amboy. 

Online condolences can be left at www.thejonesfh.com