Melvin Charles "Shorty" Thompson

Born January 22, 1926 in Pekin to Charles and Martha (Deuth) Thompson, he married Josephine “Jo” Bennett Lyon on August 21, 1949 in Pekin. She died September 11, 2012 in Pekin. He later married Beverly A. (Swearingen) Adkins on August 16, 2014 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Martha “Marty” Oltman of Lakeland, Florida and Anne Thompson of Brinklow, Maryland; one grandson, Corey Oltman of Normal; four great-grandchildren, Connor, Caley, Carson, and Colby; two step-sons, Barry (Diane) Adkins of Hanna City and Brian Adkins of Ridgeville, South Carolina; one step-daughter, Beth (Lee) Randall of Washington; five step-grandchildren, Shannon Adkins Wall of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, Amanda (Jason) Strandberg of Canton, Erin (Andrew) Balek of Redondo Beach, California, Brittany (John) Taylor of Zion, and Madysun Adkins of Columbia, South Carolina; and many step-great-grandchildren and step-great-great-grandchildren.

His parents, one brother, Vernell Thompson, and one son-in-law, Ken Oltman, also preceded him in death.

A United States Navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Roy L. King Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1232 in Pekin.

Shorty worked for the City of Pekin Fire Department for 20 years, retiring as a Captain in 1976. He later worked as a journeyman for the Boilermakers for 5 years. He also was an insurance agent for Mass Mutual all through his working years.

He was a member of Pekin First Church of the Nazarene and the Joy Sunday School Class and Monday morning men’s breakfast group.

Shorty was a former member of the Pekin Public Schools District 108 Board of Education for 12 years. He was in Scouting for 20 years where he was a longtime counselor for the Friendship Badge. Shorty will be remembered for his candy making and baking. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking, and collecting antiques.

His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at Pekin First Church of the Nazarene. Pastor Brian Eatock and Pastor Lloyd Brock will officiate. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church. The Pekin Fire Department Honor Guard will provide honors. Burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin, where military rites will be accorded.

Arrangements are by Preston-Hanley Funeral Home & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pekin First Church of the Nazarene, 3514 Broadway Street, Pekin, Illinois 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com