Melvin E. "Pete" Mosley Sr.

GALESBURG - Melvin E. "Pete" Mosley Sr., 78, Galesburg, died at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020, at home with his wife by his side.

Pete was born July 25, 1941, in Forrest City, Arkansas, the son of Henry Clay and Eurydice (Mack) Mosley Sr. He married Shirley Ann King on Aug. 9, 1985, in Galesburg.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley, and their daughter, Michelle (Tai) Papali'i of Atlanta; his daughter, Carol Mosley of Galesburg; and his son, Melvin (Mary) Mosley Jr. of Elgin; six grandchildren, Shaq, Calvin and Jasmine Mosley, Kevin Heard, and Talia and Tesema Papali'i; and seven great-grandchildren. Pete is also survived by two brothers, Henry (Bertha) Mosley Jr. of Forrest City and Gene Austin of Louisville, Kentucky; and five sisters, Mahasin (Raymond) Duncan of San Diego, and Linda Faye Mosley, Mabel (Nathaniel) Saine, Joyce Richardson and Eurydice Rochelle (Michael) Norwood, all of Little Rock, Arkansas; and many nieces and nephews.

Pete was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; and one brother.

Pete, a graduate of Lincoln High School in Forrest City, earned his associate degree in accounting from Carl Sandburg College in 1977. He was a paint foreman at Maytag for 39 years, retiring in 2003. He was a combat engineer/heavy equipment operator in the U.S. Army from 1961 to 1964. Pete was active in the Galesburg community as a mentor for youth at Carver Center, a longtime member of the Galesburg Evening Lions Club and the AMVETs. He enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Linkster's Golf Club. Pete loved to barbecue, cook and work in his yard. He also enjoyed playing cards, going to the casino, playing slot machines and going to the horse races. But most of all, Pete enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

Cremation will be accorded. A memorial visitation will be 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory in Galesburg. No public funeral service is planned. The family would like to thank the Lane A. Evans VA Clinic, Dr. Carrion and the Bronze Team, Hospice Compassus, and Gordon Behrents Senior Center for their caring, comfort and compassion for both Pete and Shirley during this difficult time. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or to the Wounded Warriors Project. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.