Maurice Medhurst

Maurice Allen Medhurst, 81, went to be with the Lord whom he loved and served on June 14, 2011.

Maurice was born on April 15, 1930 and raised in Alton, the third child of Dallas and Ethel Haskins Medhurst. Shortly after graduation from Alton High School, he went to work for Hutchinson Foundry, where he became an expert on the manufacture and maintenance of the Hutchinson-Shellco molding machine. He worked for Hutchinson Foundry for fifteen years, interrupted only by service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1965, Mr. Medhurst left Hutchinson to start his own business, the M.A. Medhurst Company, which he ran until his retirement in 1995.

Although he made his living in the foundry business, Maurice Medhurst made his life in the church. A devout follower of Jesus Christ, Maurice was a long-time Sunday School teacher, deacon, and church worker. For many years, he was the voice of the Dial-a-Devotion ministry at the North Side Assembly of God. He served the Lord by serving his neighbor, and a neighbor was anyone who stopped by the shop or needed his help. He gave generously of his time and substance to many Christian endeavors. His favorite saying was “Jehovah Jireh”—the Lord will provide.

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-five years Myra Odean Medhurst of Alton, son Martin J. Medhurst and wife Laurel of McGregor, Texas, son Michael D. Medhurst and wife Linda of Overland Park, Kansas, and daughter Avonda J. Fessler and husband Paul of Sioux Center, Iowa. He is also survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Maurice was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Dale Eugene Medhurst and his wife Joan, and a sister Bernice Medhurst Dalton and her husband Kent. His first wife, Wilma L. Belangee Medhurst, to whom he was married twenty-seven years, passed away in 1975.

No life is easily captured in a few words, but if we were to summarize the life of Maurice Medhurst it would run something like this: Follower of Jesus Christ, loving husband, wonderful father and grandfather, trusted friend, and wise teacher. “Now unto the King Eternal, Immortal, Invisible, the Only-Wise God, be glory, and honor forever and ever. Amen.”

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, June 17, 2011 at the Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, June 18, 2011, at the funeral home with Rev. Barry Copeland officiating.

Burial will follow at Valhalla Memorial Park in Godfrey with military rites by Alton VFW Post 1308.

The family thanks all those who cared for Maurice in his last days. In lieu of flowers the family asks that any memorials be directed to Godfrey Fire Department, P. O. Box F, Godfrey, Illinois 62035.

Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com