Melvin W. "Mel" Blase, 92, of Collinsville, Ill., born May 26, 1922, in Sylvan Grove, Kan., passed away at 5:55 p.m. Monday, June 16, 2014, at St. Sophias Nursing Home in Florissant, Mo.

Mel proudly served his country from 1941 to 1945 in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of VFW Post 5691 in Collinsville and the Holy Cross Lutheran Church. He was the owner of the former Mel's Garage in Collinsville from 1950-1987. Mel was blessed with a large and loving family and good friends. Airplanes were his passion throughout his life and he was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William J. and Emma, nee Meyer, Blase; and a brother, William Blase.

Surviving are his wife, Elfrieda, nee Schikowski, Blase, whom he married on Sept. 27, 1947; two sons, Craig (Mary Jo) Blase of Collinsville, Ill., and Jan (DeYon) Blase of Hollister, Mo.; three brothers, Harold (Eileen) Blase of Azle, Texas, Wally (Joey) Blase of Sun City, Ariz., and Richard Blase of Lees Summit, Mo.; two sisters, Dorothy Wagner of Nashville, Ill., and Kathy (Jim) Shelton of Plano, Texas; grandchildren, Erin (Brian) Kennedy and Meloney Maggard; great-grandchildren, Blair Kennedy, Audreyella Maggard, Laish and Cadence Maggard; special family members, Shirley Bahn, Fran and Gene Forst; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Holy Cross Lutheran Church of Heartland Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2014, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, June 20, 2014, at the funeral home with Rev. Fred Kraemer officiating. Per request cremation will be accorded.