Melbourne Lee Porter, 93, of Illiopolis, IL, left this earth on Thursday, October 29, 2026.

Mel was born at home in Dowell, IL, on June 20, 1933. He was the son of Howard and Gladys (Hartley) Porter.

He graduated from Elkville High School in 1952 and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War until 1956. He married his wife, Sandra Jane (Piper) Porter, on November 22, 1956.

Mel was a maintenance supervisor at Borden Chemical for more than 35 years. He enjoyed playing bridge, golfing, gardening, hunting, and fishing, but most of all, spending time with his family. Most mornings you could find him at breakfast or coffee, socializing and, generally, giving people a hard time. He was a member of the Illiopolis United Methodist Church and a Bronze Life Master of the American Contract Bridge League.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra; his parents; his sister, Carolyn Wilson; his grandson, Christopher Crow; his granddaughter, Madison Stephens; his sister-in-law, Sue Holiday; and his brother-in-law, James Piper.

Mel is survived by his children, Leanne (Jimmy) Stephens, Toni (Rian) Flexter, and Greg (Carrie) Porter; grandchildren Greg (Tara) Zimmerman, Casey Pratt, Kimberly (James) Jones, Jessica Flexter, Asia Bahn, Brandy Flexter, Megan (Shawn) McNeill, Daniel (Jayna) Stephens, Tabitha (Broc) Fischer, Katelyn Porter, and Kylie Porter; 23 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Carol (Bill) McMahan and Donna Piper; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Illiopolis United Methodist Church, 501 Matilda St., Illiopolis, IL 62539, from 10:30 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Illiopolis.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association .