WATERLOO, Ill. -- Melvin E. "Gene" Webb, 80, of Waterloo died Friday, May 24, 2013, in Waterloo.

He was born July 21, 1932, in Illmo, now Scott City, to the late Rosco and Vesta Rendleman Webb.

Gene was a 1950 graduate of Illmo-Fornfelt High School. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from August 1950 to August 1954, primarily with the 6600th Medical Group at Pepperrell Air Force Base in St. John's Newfoundland, Canada. He joined Monsanto Company in October 1954, retiring in December 1985 as a senior research technician at the W.G. Krummrich Plant in Sauget, Ill.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Waterloo and American Legion Post 747. He enjoyed golf, fishing, woodworking, volunteering for the Cape Girardeau Meals on Wheels program and church activities.

He dearly loved his grandchildren, and family was his top priority. He was a compassionate and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly J. Adams, Webb; two sons, Mark Webb and Phillip (Tracy) Webb; six grandchildren, Zachary, Nicholas, Rachel, Lauren, Brian and Natalie Webb; a sister, Vera (Dick) Riley; and a brother, Leroy Webb.

He was preceded in death by his parents; twin infant daughters; four brothers, Charles, Glenn, John and William Webb; and two sisters, Mary McCulley and Helen Carvick.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo and from 9 a.m. until time of service Wednesday at First Baptist Chuch in Waterloo.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church, with the Rev. Steve Neill officiating. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Lightner Cemetery in Scott City.

Memorials may be made to the building fund of First Baptist Church of Waterloo.