NORMAL — Melvin Dean Reiter, 88, of Normal, and formerly of Minonk, died at 2:10 p.m. Good Friday (April 22, 2011) at his home in Normal surrounded by his loving wife, four sons and their families.

A private family service will be Tuesday at Calvert-Johnson & Froelich Memorial Home, Minonk, with the Rev. Jan Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Minonk Township Cemetery, with military rites by Minonk American Legion. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the memorial home. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude Midwest Affiliate or OSF Hospice.

Melvin was born Feb. 18, 1923, in Minonk, to Eric and Bertha Franklin Reiter. He married Phyllis Toler on June 15, 1946, in Minonk.

Together they raised four sons, Jim, Los Angeles; Dave (Rachel), Elgin; Tom (Connie), Minooka; and Bill (Nancy), Minonk. Also surviving are one sister, Evelyn Trantina, Roanoke; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

His parents; one sister, Kathleen; and two brothers, Robert and Eric, preceded him in death.

He attended Minonk schools and served his country in the U.S. Army from January 1943 to October 1945.

Melvin worked in Roanoke for 21 years at Ulrich’s and for 16 years at Bessers before retiring in 1985. He was employed part-time at Ace Hardware, Normal, for 8½ years.

He was a proud American and a proud husband and father, and will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him.