Mary Lou "Gram" Mellendorf passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 8:52 PM at home and peacefully went into the arms of God under the tender care of her granddaughter and Heartland Hospice

She was born December 24, 1932, to Henry and Nellie Rieker in Princeton Illinois. She was also blessed with several sisters and a brother, Rick (Georgia) Rieker, Peg (Roy) Skaggs, Grace (A.P.) Shull, Rosalind (Fran) Morris, and Doris (Hobert) Hedgespeth. Her parents, sister, and brother preceded her in death.

She married her ONE true love, Floyd Mellendorf. May 12, 1979, and he preceded her in death. Mary Lou had 3 children, Donna (Noel), Vickrey-Thomas of Springfield, Christine (Greg) Gonda of Champaign and Kevin (Kristy) Vickrey of Draper,Utah. She also was blessed with 5 grandchildren, Emily Vickrey of Springfield, Marissa Claxon of Chicago, Michael Gonda of Champaign, Jena Vickrey of Draper Utah and Josh Vickrey of Draper Utah. She was further blessed with 5 great-grandchildren, Connrad Petroski, Harper Claxon, Griffin Claxon, Rykker Vickrey and Paxton Vickrey.

She was an avid gardener who enjoyed the sunshine and loved being outdoors. She loved enjoying excellent meals and loved her sweets. She was also known to enjoy a cold drink or two. In her younger years, she enjoyed traveling to concerts and rocking out of with the best of them. She loved Florida and has requested that her final resting place be on a beach. She loved spending time reading and was known to finish a book in a single day. She loved her family with her entire heart and kept her faith in God until her very last breath.

She will be remembered for her spitfire attitude, toughness, defying the odds, and being the best Gram there ever was. She is now dancing with her true love in heaven and has been freed from any pain.

Per her wishes there are no services or visitation. The family will hold a celebration of life early in the summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Lou Mellendorf FBO account at any CEFCU location.