Melvin "Dutch" Gretencord

Melvin "Dutch" Gretencord, 83, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at Ottawa Pavilion. In honoring Dutch's wishes his services will be private and he will be buried in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery. Ottawa Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with his services. Dutch was born April 18, 1931 in Ottawa, Illinois to Alfred Sr. and Bessie (Cox) Gretencord. Up until retirement he worked as a laborer for LaSalle County Portable. After the passing of his father he helped his mom raise and take care of his younger siblings. He enjoyed eating lunch and visiting with the guys daily at Community Hospital of Ottawa. He loved to sit by the river to watch the boats and barges. He enjoyed going for daily walks around Ottawa. He faithfully visited his brother daily and hung out in garage with him. He is survived by his brother, Rich (Linda) Gretencord of Ottawa; three sister-in-laws, Margaret, Joanne, and Alice Gretencord; and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; seven sisters, Marie VanKampen, Betty Boldt, Zelma (Sally) Reed, Helen Miller, Annabelle Soens, Frances Hill, and Phylis Powell; and four brothers, Alfred, John, James, and LaVerne Gretencord.