Melvin C. Wempen Jr.,78, of Raymond, died on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.
A funeral service will take place on Monday, April 20, at 10 a.m. at Community of Faith Church. Interment will follow at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
Mr. Wempen was born on Dec. 19, 1947, in Litchfield, to Melvin Charles and Shirley Ilene (Jones) Wempen. On Aug. 23, 1975, he married MaDonna Sue Schwabe and they spent 50 years together before his passing.
Mr. Wempen graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1965. He continued his education by obtaining a bachelor’s degree from SIUC in 1973, with a brief pause in his college coursework for several years of service in the US Navy.
In addition to working as a sales representative for Pioneer Hybrid Seeds, Mr. Wempen was a certified crop advisor. He farmed all his life and was increasingly successful. Mr. Wempen enjoyed traveling and was able to enjoy many trips with MaDonna and the family. Some of his favorite places were Europe, Belgium, Switzerland, Hawaii and the farm trip to Brazil.
Aside from his career, Mr. Wempen was very active in his community. He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge #681, a member of the Zanesville Township Board, member of Ansar Shrine, member of the Scottish Rite, a member of Triple Star Post #299, as well as President of Raymond Ambulance Service.
Mr. Wempen was active in the Raymond Methodist Church and later the Community of Faith. He loved spending time with friends, family, and especially his grandchildren.
Mr. Wempen is survived by his wife, MaDonna Wempen of Raymond; daughter, Meta (Rob) Reedy of Chatham and their daughter, Taliya; daughter, Merideth (Cory) Forrest of Mt. Olive and their children, Alexandria Knodel, Aiden Knodel, Addison Knodel, Austin Newingham and Levi Forrest; great-grandchild, Kinsley Knodel, daughter of Aiden; mother, Shirley Wempen; and sister, Connie (Jim) Young of New Windsor.
He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin Wempen Sr.; brother, Kurt Wempen; and his sister, Karen Wayne.
Assalley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
