Richard Lee Melton

Born March 14, 1950 in Mt. Vernon to James Eber and Mary (Gumbrell) Melton, he married Lana Clark in November of 1989 in Lafayette, Indiana. She survives.

Also surviving are his two daughters, Meredith (Brandon) Stillman of Salt Lake City, Utah and Cecily (John Johnson) Melton of Bartonville; two step daughters, Leana Himes and Andree (Tony Rice) Heinzer, both of Dayton, Ohio; two adopted daughters, Melissa Melton and Michelle (Scott) Wells of St. Louis, Missouri, 15 grandchildren, Katie, Sarah, Haylee, Allison, Sammy, Luke, Gavin, Allison, Jackson, Ezekiel, Zander, Elizabeth, Zaynah, Izzy, and Zoey, who was the light of his life; and two great-grandchildren, Oliver and Charlotte. Richard also supported an orphanage in Uganda and has many special friends there.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one infant son, Matthew David.

Richard worked as an engineer and global manager at Caterpillar Inc. for 48 years, and also came back a few times to assist with contracting. He was also a volunteer police, fire, and EMT in Pekin for many years.

In his younger years, Richard and other community members in Lafayette officiated many high school football games. He also enjoyed NASCAR and watching Blue Bloods, mainly to see if his hunch was right by the end of the episode.

Richard attended Northwoods Church Dunlap.

A Going Home Party will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at the First Missionary Church in North Pekin.

Memorial contributions can be made to EP!C at https://epicci.org/donate/

To express condolences online, visit preston-hanley.com