Melvin R. Klitzing 87, of Champaign, died at 11:30 p.m. Thursday, September 3, 2015 at Meadowbrook Healthcare Center, Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2015 at Renner-Wikoff Chapel and Crematory, Urbana. Pastor Jeff Caithamer will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Champaign, with military rites by Urbana American Legion Post #71. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Mr. Klitzing was born on April 30, 1928 in Sadorus, the son of Charles and Elta Doerhing Klitzing. He married Lola Brown on October 17, 1953 in Champaign, she survives.

Also surviving are two daughters; Terry (Larry) Martin of Champaign, Patty Sandberg of Champaign, one son; Steve (Nicole) Klitzing of Fort Wayne, Indiana and five grandchildren: Michael (Katie) Martin of Chicago, Ryan Sandberg of Vadnais Heights, MN and Melanie, Rachel and Derek Klitzing of Ft. Wayne, IN.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother; Victor Charles Klitzing and one sister; Jane Louise Klitzing.

Mr. Klitzing was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He served 18 months and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant First Class. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service medal, National Defense Medal and a Meritorious Unit Citation.

He retired from the Unit 4 Schools as a teacher and administrator, many of those years at Franklin Middle School as Principal.

Mr. Klitzing was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Champaign. He was a Kiwanis member and served as Little League Chairman in the early 70's. He was an IHSA official for football and basketball. He refereed the 1974 and 1975 Class A state basketball tournament at the Assembly Hall, including the championship game in 1975. In football he refereed the Class 3A championship game in 1973 and the Class 2A title game in 1974.

He was a fan of many sports, especially the St. Louis Cardinals, and he enjoyed fishing, woodworking and gardening.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or St. John's Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be offered at www.rennerwikoffchapel.com.