Melva Frances Gage

1937 - 2022

Melva Frances Gage
Born: April 27, 1937 in Brookfield Twp., IL
Died: September 19, 2022 in Plainsboro, NJ
Beloved "Aunt Mel" to three generations of nieces and nephews, and dear friend to many more, Melva Frances Gage passed away at age 85 in Plainsboro, NJ, after an extended illness. She was born April 27, 1937 to Laurence and Fern (Moss) Gage in the kitchen of their Brookfield Twp. farmhouse. After graduating from the one-room Cordial Grade School and Ottawa High School, she earned a BS in Commercial Teaching from the University of Illinois in 1959 and later, her Master's from Indiana University.
Melva taught typing and shorthand for two years at Saybrook Arrowsmith High School, Saybrook, IL and three years at Dixon High School in Dixon, IL. Later she worked as an Executive Assistant for 27 years at the Arthur Andersen international public accounting firm. Finally, Melva transferred for four years to Andersen's Consulting Division (now known as Accenture) from which she retired in 1999.
In retirement Melva enjoyed flower arranging in which she had excelled as a teen in the Brookfield 4-H Club. For 60 years she provided organ accompaniment for weddings and congregations, including McKinley Church on the U of I Campus, Brookfield Presbyterian Church until it closed in 1975, and the Congregational Church in Marseilles for 10 years until 2009.
Simultaneously, while remaining single, Melva was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Illini chapter, serving two terms as Regent. She was also a music aficionado and sports fan, holding season tickets for 30 years to Chicago Symphony Orchestra concerts and University of Illinois football and basketball games.
At her 50th U of I class reunion in 2009, life changed when Ed Madsen, a classmate she had not seen for 50 years, invited Melva to a dinner date. Regaling in happy memories, including their first date attending a Louis Armstrong concert in 1957, embers of romance were rekindled. Before the weekend was over, Ed coaxed her to his side at the piano while he played and sang his original composition. He began with the words "Oh give me an Illinois Girl," and ended with "Melva, will you marry me?" Time and again when this story has been retold, someone exclaims: "There is still hope!"
Married in 2010, their 50-year "whirlwind romance" was capped with 12 joyful years of marriage. Living mostly at Ed's home in Princeton, NJ, their travels included honeymooning in Denmark, and a memorable road trip to the Grand Tetons in Wyoming as well frequent holiday visits with Ed's family at the Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, VT.
Melva was predeceased by her parents and two brothers, Laurence "Larry" F. (Ruth) Gage and Robert L. (Doris) Gage. She is survived by her husband, Edgar B. Madsen, nieces Laurie Gage and Linda (Brian) Fluty, nephews Read Gage, Bruce (Cheryl) Gage, Robert "Reg" (Janet) Gage and Duane (Cathy) Gage as well as over 30 grand and great-grand nephews and nieces including Joshua (Nicole) Gage, Jordan (Nadia) Gage, Jacob (Tomi) Gage, Jonah (Cassidy) Gage, Rivor Gage, RJ Gage, Deanna (John) Burkhart, Steven (Sara) Fluty, Krysta (Jared) Maurer, Michelle (Bob Barling) Fluty, Sarah (Colt) Ables, Isaac Gage, Hannah (Justin) Jackson, David (Kelly Zachary) Gage, and Karie (Dan) Stecken.
Visitation for Melva will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday September 24 at First Congregational Church in Marseilles. Funeral services for Melva, Larry, and Ruthie Gage will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday. Burial for Melva, Larry, and Ruthie will be in Grand Ridge Cemetery with a dinner following for family and friends at the Brookfield Town Hall. Seals-Campbell Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
Memorial gifts may be directed to a charity of your choice or Kemmerer Village School, 941 N 2500 East Rd, Assumption, IL 62510.
Seals-Campbell Funeral Home
1009 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61341
815-795-5151 www.sealscampbell.com