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In memory of
Merrill "MEL" Stanley Urbane Sr.
October 22, 1922 - October 1, 2021
Oct 22, 1922 - Oct 1, 2021
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Merrill's obituary
Merrill Stanley Urbane Sr, 98, of Des Plaines Illinois passed away on October 1, 2021, at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center from Multiple Ailments.
At his request, his body was cremated, with a memorial/celebration of life to follow.
Merrill, (Mel) was born October 20, 1922, in Teulon Manitoba Canada to Michael and Rose Urbane (Blonar) and became a US citizen on April 4, 1944.
On February 2, 1943, Mel entered active service with the United States Army and stationed in Fort Sheridan Illinois. Being a Canadian citizen, he was asked why he wanted to fight for the United States, Mel responded “if I make it through the War, I want to become a US Citizen and make the US my home.”
Mel was always proud of his service in the US Army. He spent 3 months as a private in infantry basic training and 30 months as a staff sergeant in charge of 10 men with the 1st battalion, 106 infantry regiment, 40th infantry division. After intensive amphibious and jungle training and battle in Guadalcanal, New Britain, Luzon, Panay Island, and Negros he was honorably discharged after receiving 5 overseas service bars, WW11 Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific theater ribbon with 3 bronze battle stars, Philippine Liberation ribbon with one bronze battle star and Good Conduct Medal.
In 1947 Mel met Wanda Plachcinski and they were married on July 17, 1948, and had Children; Cheryl, Merrill Jr, Jeffrey, Gregory, and Nancy.
Mel was a force of nature, determined to provide for his family and give them the life he felt they deserved. He was unendingly proud of his children and always tried to support them in any way possible by working many hours and much overtime. In the 33 years he worked at GM motors-Fischer body division, in willow springs Illinois, he never missed a day of work. He retired September 1, 1987,
Mel enjoyed helping and fishing on his brother, Christie, charter boat “The DeeRok” and spending weekends with his children at cedar lake or visiting Brookfield and Lincoln Park Zoos.
Mel was from the “greatest generation” he feared nothing. He did have two disappointments in life, one was not being able to walk rigorously after he fractured his hip in 2019 and the other was that he never made it to Africa for a Safari. He never complained about his ailments even after being restricted to a wheelchair. If anyone ever asked how he felt he would always respond “If I had it any better, I wouldn’t know what to do.”
Mel was predeceased by his Wife Wanda, Son Merrill Jr., Friend Gertrude Bluver, Sister Virginia Marz (Bernard) and Brothers Walter Urbane (Florence), Chris Urbane (Shirley) and Clarence Urbane (Adrienne). He is survived by his children; Cheryl Melko (Fred), Jeffrey Urbane (Virginia) Gregory Urbane (Cindy) and Nancy Chapes (Thomas) his grandchildren Craig Melko (Christine) , Brian Melko, Merrill S Urbane III ,Gregory Urbane, Jeremy Urbane (Stephanie), Brittany Urbane, Ashley Fabis (Adam) and Great Grandchildren, Julianna Melko, Chloe Melko, Caleb Melko, Jacob Melko, Victoria Melko, Savannah Melko, Makayla Melko, London Melko, Evelyn Urbane, Kaylee Fabis, Kyle Fabis and Jordy Fabis and many Nieces and Nephews.
Family and Friends are invited to celebrate Mel’s life on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at Church on the Rock, 17N230 Manning Road, Huntley Illinois 60142. Visitation starts at 10:30 AM , Service starts at 11:00 AM followed by refreshments.
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Created with love by
Nancy Chapes (Merrill's daughter).
