Melvin M. Toennies
- Visitation Dates and Times
Saturday, January 18, 2025 from 9:00 - 11:45 a.m.
- Visitation Location
St. Damian Catholic Church ~ Damiansville
- Service Date
Saturday, January 18, 2025
- Service Time
12:00 p.m.
- Service Location
St. Damian Catholic Church ~ Damiansville
- Full Obituary
Melvin M. Toennies, 84, of Damiansville passed away peacefully January 10, 2025, at the home he dreamed of and designed, surrounded by his family. Mel was born February 7, 1940, in Damiansville, the son of Albert and Mary (nee Heimann). He married his great love, Alice Billhartz, on November 28, 1963, in Damiansville, where she survives.
In addition to his wife, Mel leaves behind his loving family: children Tim (Melissa) Toennies, Andy (Lisa) Toennies, Jean Docter, JoLynn (John) Wieter, and Terese Toennies; grandchildren Patrick and Christopher Toennies; Evan Toennies; Jacob, Mason, Zachary, and Joseph Wieter; and Alayna Docter; step-grandchildren Tiffany (Joe) Cruz, Zachary (fiancé Brooke Presson) and Austin (fiancé Mariah Miller) Pesek; and step-great grandchildren Raegan Cruz and Tatum Pesek.
His surviving family members also include sister Ange Wobbe; sisters and brothers-in-law Darlene Toennies, Darlene (Rich) Toennies, Elaine Foppe, Marti Billhartz, Loretta Bair, Virginia Oyen, Teresa Gross, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his dear grandson Drew Toennies; siblings Alfred (Pat) Toennies, Dolores “Dot” (Chuck) Goestenkors, Albin “Bones” Toennies, and Tom Toennies; father and mother-in-law Victor and Loretta (nee Schoendienst) Billhartz; brothers and sisters in law Louis Wobbe, Robert Foppe, Michael Bair, Arnold “Roscoe” (Nancy) Billhartz, Victor Billhartz Jr., and Tom Oyen.
In May 1958, Mel graduated from Aviston High School. Alongside his father, siblings and in-laws, he renovated the Billhartz family farm into his and Alice’s first home, cultivating its land for many years. Mel was a dedicated employee at Clinton County Electric Cooperative for 43 years before retiring as Operations Superintendent. His experience there developed in him an intimate familiarity for the people and places in Clinton County, his home. He created hand-drawn directional maps with accuracy to the quarter mile and could easily recall the names and residences of the individuals he served, exchanging warm greetings with fellow diners as a familiar face at Wally’s lunchtime counter. His commitment to his country, community, and church were evident in his leadership and volunteer roles. He was an Illinois National Guard Reserves Veteran, honorably discharged as an infantry specialist. He was a fixture as chairman of the finance committee for St. Damian Parish picnic for more than 30 years. He also served as a St. Damian church trustee and choir member, St. Damian Holy Name member, Albers Legion Post 1026 member, Clinton County Farm Bureau member, Damiansville Development Club member, and Damiansville Chamber of Commerce past president.
Mel was a man of great integrity and strong values; he was unfailingly honest, hardworking, reliable, and kind, earning him the lifelong respect of family, friends, colleagues, and his community. He had many talents and made the most of his retired years, tinkering and enjoying hobbies that included winemaking and gardening. Whether it was organizing his collection of tools, tracking the fermentation of his wines, mowing precise patterns in the lawn, labeling orderly rows of seedlings, or documenting in his perfect left-handed print life’s most essential details, he was thorough and meticulous. He enjoyed vacations with his family and the quality time that they provided. In his younger years, he enjoyed weekly league bowling, squirrel and deer hunting, and fishing at Cooper Lake. He always loved sitting down to watch St. Louis Cardinals baseball and football, the St. Louis Rams, college football and basketball, and playing poker and bid euchre. Dad was a traditionalist and old fashioned in most every way. He preferred the Farmer’s Almanac, rain gauges, and elbow grease to anything “smart” or high tech. We bought him a simple TracPhone one Christmas to bring us peace of mind as he started to age. It was rarely used, almost never charged, and generally nowhere to be found – it was certainly not his style to go digital or interact any way but in person.
His family was at the heart of everything he did and comprised his most cherished memories. He helped to build Boot Hill clubhouse into a place the extended Toennies family gathered on many a Sunday - swimming, laughing, eating, drinking, and playing cards. His grandchildren were his greatest joy and most precious legacy. He enjoyed his visits with them, attending their sporting events, watching them grow, quietly teaching them through his example, and reinforcing his position as the family’s card playing champion.
As our family remembers Mel, we are comforted in knowing that he is with other loved ones who have passed, enjoying eternal rest and peace in His Heavenly Home.
Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Damian Catholic Church in Damiansville with Fr. Matthew Elie presiding and Deacon Glenn Netemeyer and Deacon Kevin Templin assisting. Interment will follow at St. Damian Cemetery.
Visitation will be Saturday, January 18, 2025, from 9:00 – 11:45 a.m. at St. Damian Catholic Church in Damiansville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Damian Church, Mater Dei Catholic High School, or the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and will be received at the visitation or by mail, Moss Funeral Home, 535 N. 5th St. Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.