Gerald "Skip" W. Mallender

GERALD “SKIP” W. MALLENDER, 71, of Ellis Grove, Illinois, passed away at 5:20 am, Friday, July 22, 2022 at Memorial Hospital, Chester, Illinois. He was born to the late George Henry and Alice (nee Predegar) Mallender on January 8, 1951 in Belleville, Illinois. Skip married Kathleen Rene DeHoff on June 12, 1987 in Chester, Illinois; she survives. He was a former coal miner for Peabody Coal, had worked as a Security Therapy Aid for Chester Mental Health Center and then was a Stationary Engineer for Menard Correctional Center before retiring. Skip was a former member of the Ellis Grove Fire Department where he served as Assistant Chief, former President of the Mississippi Valley Gun Club, was a hunter safety course instructor and a National Rifle Association recruiter. He was also a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #3553 in Chester, a Master Mason at Lodge #72 in Chester and Lodge #427 in Red Bud and a proud member of the Ainad Shriners in East St. Louis. He was a Vietnam War Marine Corps Veteran. Survivors: Wife: Kathleen “Rene” Mallender Ellis Grove, IL 2 Children: C.J. Mallender (Fiancee Jamie Bierman) Ellis Grove, IL Anthony Wayne Mallender Chester, IL 2 Grandchildren: Arabella Renee Mallender & Henry Matthew Mallender Preceded in Death by: Parents and In-laws – Fred & Shirley DeHoff Funeral Service: 12:00 pm, Saturday, July 30, 2022 Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois Masonic Service: 11:30 am, Saturday, July 30, 2022 Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois Officiating: Rev. Phillip Keeton Interment: New Palestine Cemetery Walsh, Illinois Visitation: Saturday – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Pechacek Funeral Homes, Chester, Illinois Memorials: Shriners Hospitals for Children American Heart Association