Melvin E. Coulter, 86, of Paxton, passed away at 6:10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, 2023, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 18, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church, 210 W. Center, Paxton with Rev. Pat Allin officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Cemetery, Paxton.

Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 17, at the church. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is handling arrangements.

Melvin was born July 5, 1936, in Paxton the son of Howard and Muriel Wilken Coulter. He married Delores Jean Harper May 28, 1955. She survives.

Along with his wife Delores, of 67 years, he is survived by one daughter, Debra (Larry) Sexton and one son Daniel (Jane) Coulter; grandchildren, Deana (Nick) Hornbeck, Kevin Sexton, Chris Sexton, Dillon Sexton, Drew (Katie) Coulter, Angel (Cody) Eaglan, Whitney (Devin) Milburn, Ashton Luhrsen, Wyatt (Markie) Coulter, Jamie Sue (Luke) Ulrich, Barbie (Jason) Hari, Ben (Erica) Coulter, Jamie (Joey) Turner, and Matt (Ashley) Scudder. He is also survived by 22 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Bev Kingery and Nancy Coulter of Champaign and a brother, Russ (Diane) Coulter of Gibson City and a multitude of cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David Coulter; sister, Virginia Ricks and a brother Harold "Gene" Coulter.

Melvin graduated from Cissna Park High School and attended the University of Illinois. He bought the farm that is currently still farmed by the family in 1957 from his grandfather. Melvin started with four sows and 80 acres and continued to grow the farm which now supports four families.

He loved taking care of the pigs, especially the baby ones (over 2000 at a time). In fact, he continued to work seven days a week until the day he went in the hospital.

Melvin was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Paxton and a former president of the trustee board. He was a past president of the Ford-Iroquois Pork Producers and a member of the Illinois Pork Producers. Melvin was on the board of directors of South Morgan Acres and Farm Credit Illinois. He was also a member of the Ford-Iroquois Farm Bureau. He was a 4-H Leader and past president of the 4-H Alumni. Melvin was an active supporter of the Paxton FFA.

Melvin loved his family very much and always believed in them. He never met a stranger, so if you ever met him, you knew all about his family and his life story. He will be missed!

Memorials may be made to the Paxton FFA or First United Methodist Church of Paxton. Condolences and memorial can be shared with the family at www.baierfuneralservices.com