Daniel Creighton Melrose – Fairfield

97-year-old Daniel Creighton Melrose of Fairfield, died Sunday, October 25 at Fairfield Memorial Hospital’s Skilled Care Unit.

He was born April 24, 1923 in Grayville, to Edward Clair, Sr. and Ruth Fleming (Creighton) Melrose. On June 20, 1948 he married Betty Lou Brockett, and subsequently had two daughters, Deborah Kay, and Caren Dee. He was a graduate of the FCHS class of 1941. When World War II broke out, he enlisted in the military service and was proud to serve his country. He trained as a radio-repairman at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey Signal Corps. During World War II, he was in the Army Air Force for three years, two of which were spent in the Pacific. He served as Communications Chief S/Sgt. of Headquarters Co. of 8th Fighter Group.

After the war, he completed his education and received his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences from University of Illinois in 1949, majoring in Geology and minoring in mathematics and chemistry. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Throughout his career as a consulting geologist, he watched many wells throughout the Illinois Basin. He loved the earth’s geology and was always eager to share his knowledge with up and coming geologists and others interested in the field.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Fairfield, having served on the Administrative Board and Council on Ministries, and as a youth leader with his wife, Betty. He loved God and led by example.

In the late 1960’s he proposed the development of a reservoir on the Little Wabash River as a Pond Creek Lake and Recreation area. This became known as Melrose Lake and was pursued by local officials but never came to pass. He served two terms (seven years) as a member of the Fairfield Community High School Board of Education. He also served a six-year term as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Fairfield Park District. He loved and respected trees, and along with his fellow members of the Fairfield Tree Committee, was instrumental in the planting and preservation of several trees around Fairfield. He was a member of the Wayne County Citizens Review Committee, investigating the feasibility of a nuclear dump site in Wayne County.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty, (July 29, 2014), his parents, brother Edward C. Melrose, Jr., infant sister, Dorothy Melrose, and infant granddaughter, Bess Sheraden.

He is survived by two daughters, Debbie (David) Love and Caren (Brad) Sheraden, both of Fairfield; four grandchildren, Calli (Josh) Doty, Chalan (Emma) Love, Tylar (Joe) McKitrick, and Maggie (Stephen) Marino, all of Fairfield; seven great-grandchildren, Olivia Bunting of Carbondale, Hunter Ray and Dutton Jo Doty, Lexi Jo and J.W. McKitrick, and Mila Marino and her unborn sister, due in February 2021, all of Fairfield; five nieces, Linda (Hanks) Headley and Susan Hanks of Fairfield, Marti Melrose of Missouri, Annie Howerton and Janie Krietemeier of Colorado.

Private services will be held for Dan with burial in Maple Hill Cemetery.  There will be no public services.  Memorials in his honor may be made to Fairfield Park District for the purchase of new trees, Fairfield Memorial Hospital Skilled Care, or 1st United Methodist Church.  Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and will be accepting memorial donations.