Melvin "Mel" Robinson (1876-1955)

family photo	with wife

Mel Robinson Dies After Long Illness

Melvin Robinson, 79, passed away Wednesday night Nov. 9, after a lingering illness. A lifetime resident of the Lowell community, he had been staying with a niece, Mrs. Wendell Monroe, in Chicago, since the death of his wife on Feb. 4, 1954.

Mel was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Robinson, residents of Cedar and West Creek township. He was born June 11, 1876, southeast of Lowell and attended the Buckley school, later moving to the Lake Prairie community where he was graduated from Lake Prairie school.

On July 18, 1903, he was married to Ella Surprise of Lowell, in a ceremony read by Rev. Drake, Pastor of the Crown Point Methodist church.

The couple farmed in Cedar Creek township until Mel retired in 1941, and they moved to the former home of Ella's parents, the Oliver Surprises, on Halsted street. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1953. Both were members of the Lowell Church of Christ and Mr. Robinson, at one time served on the Board of Deacons.

Surviving besides his niece Mrs. Monroe and family, is a foster son, Leo Unger of California, and a brother, James of San Diego, Calif., also other relatives and friends. A brother Frank of Hammond was buried in Lowell the same day Mel died.

Rev. Loren Holt, pastor of the Lowell Church of Christ, officiated at memorial services conducted in the Sheets Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, and he was laid to rest beside his wife in the Lowell cemetery.