Pawnee, IL — Willard John Mellinger, 80, of Pawnee, Illinois, died Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. John was born Sept. 7, 1940, in Springfield, the son of Willard Johnson and Frances Caroline Seiz Mellinger. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Willard John Mellinger

John was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield and a 1958 graduate of Pawnee High School. John retired from Vanpickeral Distributing as a truck driver in 1988 after 20 years of service. He later operated a lawn mowing service for 25 years. John was active with standard breed horses which he bred and raised.

He is survived by two sons, Stephen J. (wife, Kay) Mellinger of Dawson and Jerald J. Mellinger of Springfield; four grandchildren; one brother, James M. (wife, Nancy) Mellinger, of Arizona; one niece and cousins.

John’s family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the time of a memorial service at 11 a.m. Friday March 5, 2021, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Springfield with Rev. Greg Busboom officiating. A private family burial at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee will follow.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2477 W. Washington St., Springfield, IL 62702.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of John Mellinger. Online condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.