Melvin “Mickey” Lacey, 71, of Monmouth, IL, passed away at 6:00 a.m. Friday, January 1, 2016, at the Roseville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Roseville, IL.
Mel was born on April 11, 1944 in Monmouth, the son of Ardathe Patterson (Glenn McClure). He was raised and educated in Monmouth, and graduated from Monmouth High School in 1962. Mel attended Western Illinois University.
Mel married Janice Ridings on August 5, 1967 in Monmouth.
Mel worked as a Forman at Wilson Foods in Monmouth for several years. He was an avid sports fan, referee, umpire, and coach. Mel played basketball at Western Illinois University and has always been very active in the sports community. He was a member of the Monmouth High School Basketball Team that made it to the Elite 8 in 1960. Mel was inducted into the Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983. He was a member of St. James AME in Monmouth.
He is survived by his daughter, Shase (Jason) Hoffmann of Moline, IL, five aunts; Hattie Wallace, Theresa (James) Russell, Connie Patterson, Sharon Patterson, Carole (Gabriel) Randolph all of Monmouth, one uncle, Harry (Molly) Patterson of Atlanta, GA, and numerous cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ardathe and Glenn McClure, and numerous aunts and uncles.
Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 7, 2016 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Interment will be in Monmouth Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 6, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Mel Lacey Memorial Fund. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com
