Alan McMellen

Alan L. McMellen, 68, of Virden, passed away on Monday, January 25, 2015, at Memorial Medical Center. Alan was born December 6, 1947, in Slater, Mo., the son of Raymond C. and Margaret Goodson McMellen. Alan was a graduate of Slater High School and DeVry University. He served his country in the United States Air Force. Alan retired from Union Pacific Railroad where he was a Communication Specialist. He was a member of Thayer United Methodist Church. Alan was also a member of the Asbury United Methodist Men's Club and the Central Illinois Blues Association. He enjoyed reading, listening to blues and jazz music, and was a fan of several sports teams including the St. Louis Cardinals, KC Chiefs, Mizzou Tigers, and the Fighting Illini. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Benjamin McMellen; one sister-in-law, Martha McMellen; and one aunt, Mary Chase. He is survived by his partner of over nine years, Denise Gwinn of Virden; two daughters, Amanda (companion, Matt McGuire) McMellen of Jefferson City, Mo. and Sarah (husband, Matthew) DeLay of Chatham; two grandchildren, Aubry and Eli DeLay of Chatham; two brothers, George "Benny" McMellen of Mission, Kansas and Edward (Sandy) McMellen of Slater, Mo.; one niece, Jennifer Miller of Slater, Mo.; two nephews, Dan (wife, Julie) McMellen of Los Angeles, Calif. and Matthew (fiancée, Tamara) McMellen of Fulton, Mo.; one great-nephew; and three great-nieces. Cremation was accorded by Lincoln Land Cremation Society. The family will host a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2016, at Thayer United Methodist Church, 114 Main Street, Thayer, Ill. Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater St. Louis APDA Chapter Resource Center, 1415 Elbridge Payne Road, Suite 150, Chesterfield, MO 63017. Please visit lincolnlandcs.com to offer your condolences.