Obituary - Melba Gene (Holly) Slater

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WASHINGTON - Melba Gene Slater, 78, of Washington, Ill., died at 4:07 a.m. Saturday, April 2, 2011, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Ill.
Born on Oct. 19, 1932, in Calumet City, Okla., to David and Lucia Leedy Holly, she married Robert W. "Bob" Slater on May 16, 1952, in Peoria, Ill. He survives.
Also surviving are four children, Jackie Gustavson of Steubenville, Ohio, Robert "Buck" (Cindy) Slater, Susan (Jeff) Birkel and Patti Heavrin, all of Washington, Ill.; one sister, Marlene Barnett of Meeker, Okla.; seven grandchildren, Katie and Casey Heavrin, Brian and Jason Birkel and Matt and Jennica Slater, all of Washington, Ill., and Laura Gustavson of Steubenville, Ohio; and one great-granddaughter, Morgan.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Gene worked as a draftsman in the engineering department at Caterpillar Tractor Co. for 28 years, retiring in 1991.
Services for Gene will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2011, at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington. Pastor Mike McCoskey will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Glendale Cemetery in Washington.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Published in Peoria Journal Star on April 3, 2011