Melvin Edward Lerch, son of the late Paul Edward Lerch and Rhoda Pearl Lerch Vogelsang, was born in St. Louis Missouri on December 21, 1949 and passed away on February 10, 2017 at the age of 67 years, 1 month and 20 days.
Mel served his country with honor as a United States Marine stationed in Hawaii during the Vietnam war, where he completed one tour of duty there with the Force Recon unit before returning stateside. Upon his discharge, Mel returned to his hometown of St. Peters where he eventually met Brenda Snider and married her on December 31, 1976; they were married 40 years. Mel began a career with Ford Motor Company in 1978 and retired from there with 30 years of service. Mel has spent his years of retirement enjoying his grandchildren and family.
Mel was a long-time member of the Harvester Church of the Nazarene, where he ministered to many in the church by offering his skills as a mechanic and auto body repairman to those in need. Mel’s generosity touched many lives through his work on cars.
Mel was a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast and he introduced his wife Brenda to the sport, where she quickly became his best riding partner. The two of them traveled many miles of highways and backroads together and enjoyed some of their happiest years together from the seats of their motorcycles. Two of his children also became riders and nothing made Mel happier than riding with his family. He has left behind some wonderful memories for them to treasure.
Mel was a family man first and foremost, always putting their needs and wants before his own. Mel was a Christian man who raised his children with the same values he was taught and lived by. Mel was a mostly quiet, reserved man but those who knew him best also knew that behind that quiet exterior lurked the soul of a born prankster with a rare sense of humor. He has left behind legendary stories of some of his pranks that never fail to bring laughter and fond memories to his family and friends.
Surviving are his loving wife, Brenda Lerch, of St. Peters MO; his 3 cherished children and their spouses: Wendy Lerch Hynes and Chris Hynes of Berkeley MO, Amanda Lerch of St. Louis MO, and Kevin and Lisa Lerch of Mt. Juliet TN; and his 5 treasured grandchildren who were the light of his life: Cierra and Gabrielle Lerch of Montgomery City MO and Knox and Nash Lerch of Mt. Juliet TN, and Ripley Hynes of Berkeley MO; sister Linda Huber and husband Charles; and his mother Pearl Vogelsang and husband Gus. He was preceded in death by his father Paul Lerch and his granddaughter Kathleen Breana Lerch.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or a cancer foundation of your choice.