Gary L. Mell, former Rock Island Fire Chief, 75, of Rock Island, died Friday, March 23, 2018 at his home.

Funeral services are 10:30 am on Wednesday at Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, 3030 7th Ave., Rock Island.  Burial is at the National Cemetery, Rock Island Arsenal, where military honors will be presented.  Visitation is 4 to 7 pm Tuesday at the funeral home.  Memorials may be made to Alleman High School, Rock Island, or to the Rock Island Retired Firefighter's Association.

Gary was born August 14, 1942 in Davenport, a son of Lawrence and Betty Shafer Mell.  He married Janet L. Shuda on May 10, 1969 in Rock Island.

He graduated from Black Hawk College and Western Illinois University.  He joined the Rock Island Fire Department in 1966 and served as a Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Fire Chief and later was promoted to Chief.  He retired in 2001 after 35 years of service.

Gary was a Vietnam Veteran having served with the U.S. Army.  He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, Vietnam Veteran of America Chapter 299, Oakwood Country Club, Rock Island Retired Firefighter's Association and had served on the Rock Island Fire Department's Pension Board and Health Committee.   Gary loved his family and enjoyed following his grandchildren's activities, Moline or Rockridge, maroon was his color.

Survivors include his wife, Janet; daughters and sons-in-law, Stacey and Craig Reid, Coal Valley and Julie and Josh Drish, Milan; grandchildren, Karlie and Olivia Drish and Maxwell and Samuel Reid; sister, Sherry (Glen) Rousey, Silvis; sister-in-law, Judy (Larry) Schulte, Milan; and three nieces and three nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Janis Mell.

Online condolences may be left at wheelanpressly.com.