Obituary - Athens Free Press, 26 March 1920 SAMUEL MELLINGER Samuel Mellinger was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania January 27, 1832, and died March 14, 1920 at 4:30 in the Soldiers home at Danville, Ill., at the age of 88 years, 1 month, and 15 days. His father died in Franklin County, Pennsylvania in 1860 at the age of 101 years. In 1851 Samuel Mellinger left Pennsylvania and went to Ohio where he remained one year, and in 1852 he came to Sangamon County, Illinois, where he married Miss Elmira Cantrall. She died in 1857 leaving one son, Samuel. He again married Maranda Cantrall, a widow of William Snelson. To this union four children were born, William C., Mahala, Debbie, and Lucy F. August 12, 1862, he enlisted in the 114 regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry Company C. His first engagement was a t the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, and the siege and capture of Vicksburg, Battle of Gunstown, Tupelpa, Spanish Fort, and Fort Blakely. He served three years and was honorably discharged at Camp Butler August 3, 1865. He leaves to mourn his loss one son, William C. Mellinger of Cantrall, and one daughter, Mrs. Lucy York of Urbana, thirteen grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the home of his son William Mellinger, two miles south of Cantrall Tuesday, March 16, Rev. Elmer Stackhouse, pastor of Cantrall Christian Church, officiating. Interment was made in Brittin cemetery. Obituary - Athens Free Press, 7 May 1954 WILLARD MELLINGER, 41, PAWNEE, DIED FRIDAY, APR. 30 Willard Johnson Mellinger, 41, of Pawnee, died early Friday morning at his residence. He was born August 8, 1912, near Williamsville, the son of Clarence and Una Johnson Mellinger. Mr. Mellinger has been employed at Pillsbury Mills, in Springfield, for the last 15 years. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Chatham. The Mellinger family are former Athens residents and are well known here. Surviving are his wife; two sons, John and James, at home; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Mellinger of Springfield; four brother, Elbert, Springfield, Milton, Chatham, Wayne, in Japan with the U.S. Army, and Stanley of Athens; and five sisters, Mrs. Florence Bush, Chatham, Mrs. Emily Braham, Springfield, Miss Esther Mellinger, Springfield, Mrs. Clarabell Worley of Buffalo, and Miss Virginia Mellinger, Springfield. Funeral services were held at the David Funeral Home in Pawnee at 2 p.m. Sunday. Burial was made in Horse Creek Cemetery, Pawnee.