Jon E Melin

Jon E. Melin, 82, of Moline, IL, passed away on Friday, June 9, 2023, at UnityPoint Health/Trinity in Rock Island, IL.

Services will be held at Wendt Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 20, at 10 am, with a visitation on Monday, June 19, from 4–7 pm. After the service, the burial will be in Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline, IL. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Salem Lutheran Church, Moline, IL.

Born on September 8, 1940, in Moline, IL, Jon was the only son of Carl D. Melin and M. Dorothea (Charlberg) Melin. He grew up spending much of his time in the Melin Brothers family grocery stores and was very proud of his Swedish heritage. Jon attended Moline Public Schools, graduating from Moline High School in 1958 (the last class to graduate from the old high school) and graduating from Moline Community College, which later became Black Hawk College, in 1960. It was there that he met the love of his life, Rita Sovey. They were married on November 2, 1963, in Moline, IL.

Having a deep love for his country, Jon enlisted and served in the U.S. Army Reserves and then the Illinois National Guard as Medical Section Chief and lastly as acting First Sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery, 2nd Bn—123rd Division Artillery.

After his service in the military, Jon sold advertisements for The Rock Island Argus, then The Dispatch, retiring after 42 years as National Advertising Manager and Major Accounts Manager. For many years, he coordinated The Business Show, which was held annually in the Quad Cities.

Jon enjoyed life and spending time with his family, including taking his sons to school, sports, and club activities. He had more hobbies than he could keep up with! He was a former member of the Viking Club, the Moline Tip Club, and Salem Lutheran Church, Moline, IL.

Jon is survived by his four sons: Kristopher Melin (Ashley), Tucson, AZ; Dr. Kory Melin (Michelle), Coal Valley, IL; Kullen Melin (Melinda), Moline, IL; Dr. Kurtis Melin, Spartanburg, SC; seven grandchildren: Jonathan, Daniel, James, Samantha, Mikayla, Lauren, and Jackson; and many, many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rita (Sovey) Melin, his parents, three sisters, and their husbands: Roma Medd (Ronald) Bettendorf, IA; Marlowe Ogden (Glenn) Moline, IL; Nola Hopp (Kenneth) Spartanburg, SC; and one great-grandson.

Love ya, Dad!

Online condolences may be expressed at wendtfuneralhome.com.