Melvin "Dutch" Ferrero's Obituary
Melvin "Dutch" Ferrero, age 92, of Pinckneyville, IL, passed away on Saturday, October 28, 2023 at 5:24 a.m. in Pinckneyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, surrounded by his family.
Dutch was born on June 26, 1931 in Perry County, IL, a son to Martin John and Bernice Irene (Rich) Ferrero. He married Letha Jean Reith in Perry County, IL at Reverend Jenkins' Home and she survives. He was a member of UMWA Local 1650 and UMWA Local 1392 at AMAX Leahy Mine. Dutch was a member at Beaucoup Baptist Church, Pinckneyville, IL. He was in the class of 1948 at Pinckneyville Community High School. Dutch loved hunting and fishing, as well as just being outside in general. He was a lifelong farmer. Dutch followed Pinckneyville Celtics Softball and Panther Basketball and was still cutting trees in to his 90's. Dutch was a devoted loving family man and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his loving wife of 72 years, Letha Jean Ferrero of Pinckneyville, IL; their children, Kathy Jo (Don) Decker, Rex B. (Sandra J.) Ferrero of Pinckneyville, IL, Gina Lynn Ferrero of Pinckneyville, IL, Lea Anne Templeton of Miramar Beach, FL and Jeff (Laranda) Ferrero of Huntingburg, IN; ten grandchildren, Matthew (Bobbie Jo) Decker, Carrie Elizabeth Decker, Joe (Stephanie) Ferrero, Amanda A. (Danny) Bruno, Ethan (Taylor) Beasley, Nathen (Brooke) Beasley, John Templeton, Mackenzie Templeton, Levi Ferrero, and Dalton Ferrero; 10 great-grandchildren, Annie, Brynn and Callie Jo Decker; Elizabeth and Carolyn Ferrero; Emye, Patrick and Josephine Bruno; and Lily and Lakelyn Beasley; and one great-great-grandchildren, Remi Ann Bruno.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Milton J. Ferrero; a sister in infancy and one grandson, Will Templeton.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Beaucoup Baptist Church in Pinckneyville, IL with Brother Mark Lee and Mike Higgerson officiating.
Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will be at Mueller Hill Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society and Vitas Hospice.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL, was entrusted with the arrangements.
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