Melvin James Anderson, Sr., 96, of Sparta, IL; born on March 22, 1928, in St. Louis, MO to Frank and Anna Mae Smith Anderson; passed away on Friday, February 28, 2025 in Sparta, IL.
Melvin attended grade school in St. Louis, MO and graduated High School from Sparta High School, Sparta, IL. He enlisted in the US Air Force and served from 1946 – 1949. He was an automotive equipment mechanic. Melvin received the WWII Victory Medal and the Japanese Occupational Medal. Melvin's great-grandson Tarique Rodgers, accompanied him to Washington, DC on the Veterans Honors Flight in 2024. Melvin also worked at Sparta Printing where he served as the secretary/treasurer of the union. He also worked for Illinois Power Company/Ameren and served as a little league baseball coach for many different children.
Melvin married Nellie Margaret Bixby on December 14, 1946. This union lasted 73 years where they raised nine children, 4 girls and 5 boys.
He was a member of the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church a

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