Melvin Gard

Melvin “Mel” Gard,71, of Crystal Lake, died Sunday, October 30,2011, surrounded by his family.

He was born April 27,1940, in Madison, WI, to the late Walter and Daisy (nee Harrod) Gard.  Melvin married Diane L. Lawton on May 14,1960, in Madison.

Mr. Gard loved spending time with his family and supported his children and grandchildren in their interests and activities. 

Mr. Gard was a member and past president of the Crystal Lake South Booster Club and was a past member of the District 155 school board.

He retired after a long and successful 27-year career with Motorola, Inc.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, Jeff (Debbie Novak) Gard of Crystal Lake, Kelley (Dave) Leonard of Cedar Falls, IA, and Karen (Kevin) Cook of Geneva; grandchildren, Maureen, Mitchell, and Erin Gard, David, Katlyn, and Andrew Leonard, and Conor and Caitlin Cook, and he was excited about becoming a great-grandfather this Spring; siblings, Eldon (Norma) Gard of Madison, Lois Lien of Las Vegas, and Evelyn (David) Jones of Waterford, WI; brother-in-law, Dale (Gloria) Lawton of Cable, WI; sister-in-law, Carol (the late Bud) Lindberger of Sun Prairie, WI; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold (Marquerite) Gard; father and mother in-law, Vern and Peg Lawton; and brother-in-law, James Lawton.

The memorial visitation will be Wednesday, November 2, from 9 a.m. until the time of memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake.  In honor of Mel's passion for the Green Bay Packers, the family would appreciate if people would wear green and gold to the memorial visitation and service.  The inurnment will be private.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff in the Good Shepherd Hospital Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) for the kindness, support and compassion they showed Mr. Gard and his family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Gard’s name may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, 17 N. State St., Ste. 1300, Chicago, IL 60602,"" www.epilepsychicago.org"", or to the charity of one’s choice.

Melvin “Mel” Gard,71, of Crystal Lake, died Sunday, October 30,2011, surrounded by his family.

The memorial visitation will be Wednesday, November 2, from 9 a.m. until the time of memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176), Crystal Lake. In honor of Mel's passion for the Green Bay Packers, the family would appreciate if people would wear green and gold to the memorial visitation and service. The inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Gard’s name may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, 17 N. State St., Ste. 1300, Chicago, IL 60602,"" www.epilepsychicago.org"", or to the charity of one’s choice.