Melvert R. "Mel" Cordani Obituary (1922 - 2014)

Melvert R. "Mel" Cordani, 92, of Witt died Tuesday, April 29, 2014 in Heritage Health, Pana. He was born January 25, 1922 in Maryville, IL, the son of Angelo Christine Marie Ratzel Cordani. When he got out of the 8th grade, Mel started working at a bakery in Staunton. Soon thereafter he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. During World War II, he served in the U. S. Navy two years where he was a baker on the tanker ship USS Saugatuck . After the war he ran the IGA store in New Douglas for a short time. In November 1947 Mel and his brother Angelo purchased Cabello's Bakery in Witt and began Cordani Brothers Bakery. After a short period of time Angelo returned to Staunton and Mel continued to operate Mel's Bakery. Mel was in business for 38 years and always made all of his goods from scratch. He attended the Wilton School of Cake Decorating in 1947 where he learned from Mr. Wilton himself. His wedding cakes were famous throughout central Illinois for their delicious flavor and meticulous detail in decorations. In addition to opening the bakery at 2:00 a.m., he was deemed the night mayor. He stopped many burglaries before they happened in the downtown area. The fire calls were answered by Mel at the bakery and he would sound the alarm. He was a member of the fire department for over 30 years. Mel had a big heart and was always helping someone. One winter morning at 2 a.m. he heard a noise outside the bakery door. He opened the door and there was a young mother with her baby wrapped in a blanket. Her car had stranded on route 16. Mel let them in the bakery and put them back by the warm oven until the baby and mother were warm. He felt he had done a lot in saving this baby's life. Mel was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Nokomis where he was a member of the Couples Club and a Trustee. He was a charter member of Witt Lions Club and had served on the Witt City Council. Mel's love was his family, his church and his work. Melvert R. Cordani and Tressa Lovell "Vel" Moreland Dean were united in marriage on September 4, 1948 in the Staunton Lutheran Parsonage. Vel worked side by side with him until their retirement on December 24,1985. During those years, in addition to all of their children, many other young people in Witt worked at the bakery. Mel Vel raised 9 children: Thomas K. Dean wife Mayola, Pana, IL, Beverley Sue Dean Virden, Springfield, IL; Toni Leigh husband Rodger, Witt, IL; Melvert C. Cordani wife Sharon, Litchfield, IL; Eileen "WeeGee" Kinkelaar husband Dan, Witt, IL, and Albert Joseph Cordani wife Alexis, Lake St. Louis, MO; Max Montgomery wife Lori, Colmesneil, TX, Bill Moreland wife Nancy, Coperas Cove, TX, and Emily Battin, Raymond, IL. He has 22 grandchildren: Todd Dean wife Lora, Eric Dean wife Liz, Jim May wife Christine, Stephanie May husband Steve Heiner, Donna Virden, Kristi Heafner husband John, Greg Leigh fiance Ashley Whitehead, Ben Cordani wife Vicki, Rebecca Garms husband Matt, Bethanie Nicole Cordani fianc Mike Franz, Drew Kinkelaar friend Tiffany Waters, Shawn Kinkelaar, Brad Kinkelaar wife LeAnne, Angie Moore husband Tim, Chad Cordani wife Kelli, Tim Cordani wife Becky, Marny Fitzpatrick, Charles Montgomery wife Mandy, Max Montgomery Jr., Diana Montgomery, Angela Montgomery, Aimee Pelarski husband Dan; 29 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother: Angelo Cordani wife Katie, Staunton, IL; and sisters: Lorraine McMahon, Collinsville, IL, Christine "Nonnie" DalPazzo, husband John, Staunton, IL, and Geraldine "Geri" Polley, Springfield, IL. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, wife on October 6, 2011; granddaughter, Lisa DeWerff; daughter-in-law Brenda Cordani; brother Albert Cordani and sisters Josephine Ferrari and Eileen Lewis; brothers-in-law Donald McMahon and Jim Ferrari. Funeral Information Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. in McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, Pana and Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at the church. Funeral services will be Tuesday, May 6, 2014 in Trinity Lutheran Church at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Bert Eickhoff officiating. Burial will be in Witt Cemetery with graveside military rites by Nokomis American Legion Post #94.