MARBLE HILL, Mo. — Melvin Otis Bollinger, 93, of Marble Hill died peacefully Monday, Nov. 7, 2022, at Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Jan. 22, 1929, to Otis Leo and Nellie Sadler Bollinger. He and Shirley Lou VanMatre were united in marriage July 3, 1951, in Bennettsville, South Carolina.

Melvin was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He worked many years for pallet companies and for ACF company. He always had a project that he was working on. He loved hunting, fishing, woodworking, gardening, tinkering, reading and spoiling his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a man of many stories, a devoted husband, a good and loyal friend to many and the best grandpa there ever was. He will be truly and deeply missed.

Melvin is survived by his son, Gregory (Darlene) Bollinger of Marble Hill; grandson, Ryan Bollinger of Cape Girardeau; granddaughters, Becky (Nick) Hutchinson of Maricopa, Arizona, Amy Kesterson of Jackson and Megan (Cody) Marett and Hannah Crews, both of O'Fallon, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Liam Kesterson of Jackson and Sophie Marett and Jackson Marett of O'Fallon; sister, Betty Brazeal of Marble Hill; and beloved niece, Christy Bollinger of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Shirley Bollinger; daughter, Melanie Crews; parents; brothers, Donald and Nelson; sister, Mollie Ann Trovillion; and great-grandson, Joshua Steven Marrett.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those attending the services bring a written or typed memory or story of Melvin to leave with the family to be included in a memory book.

Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at Ford and Liley Funeral Home in Marble Hill.

Funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bill McCormick officiating. Burial will follow at Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery near Marble Hill.