Melvin Charles Hesterberg, 85, of New Florence, passed away on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Nursing Home in New Florence.
Melvin was born on September 6, 1939, in Bellflower. He was the son of Oscar Herman Hesterberg and Ida Marie (Nagel) Hesterberg. He attended Bellflower High School until his junior year when the schools were consolidated and graduated from Montgomery County R-II High School in 1957. He married Patsy Jo Weiser in Bellflower on June 21, 1959. They were married for 65 loving years before his passing.
In his younger years, he enjoyed going fishing on the river with his father. Melvin worked his entire career in the excavating contracting business. His work was a big part of his life, but he still kept his loved ones close, often taking them to see his job sites. They would take Sunday drives and go see Melvin’s work from the last week. He also enjoyed working on his farm and taking care of his livestock.
Melvin and Patsy enjoyed frequent weekend and overnight trips together exploring the region. They often found themselves in Illinois to look at the corn crop, then venturing into neighboring states like Iowa and Kansas as well, making the most of the opportunity while they were already in the area. Melvin liked to go to the coffee shop in the mornings and visit. He was someone who could easily strike up a conversation with anyone. He has never met a stranger.
Melvin was incredibly devoted to his family and was always ready to help and support them, no matter what.
Mr. Hesterberg is survived by his wife, Patsy Hesterberg of the home; children: Melvin Duane (Lori) Hesterberg of New Florence, Mark (Cindy) Hesterberg of Bellflower, Andrea (Gary) Bergesch of Bellflower, Barbara (David) Hillebrand of New Florence and Marty (Pam) Hesterberg of Ballwin; grandchildren: Michael (Lauren Morgan) Hesterberg of New Florence, Cory Rees of Bellflower, Jason Busken of Bellflower, Curtis Bergesch of Montgomery City, Miranda (Jake) Griesbauer of Falcon (Laclede County), Ellie Hillebrand of New Florence, Tara Hillebrand of Columbia, Jennifer Hesterberg of St. Louis and Steven Hesterberg of Ballwin; great-grandchildren: Jacob (Alexis Schone) Bergesch, Cooper Griesbauer, Emmersyn Griesbauer, Eli Griesbauer, Charlotte Broocke, Colton Hesterberg and Kaisen Hesterberg; great-great-grandchild, Jameson Bergesch; and brother, Roy (Barbara) Hesterberg of Warrenton.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar Herman and Ida Marie Hesterberg; and three siblings, Delbert Hesterberg, Helen Bethel and Margaret Duckett.
A funeral service at noon at Feb. 6 at Schlanker Funeral Home in Montgomery City with Pastor Jack Gillespie officiating. Interment will follow in the Bellflower Cemetery in Bellflower. Casketbearers include Miranda Griesbauer, Ellie Hillebrand, Tara Hillebrand, Curtis Bergesch, Jacob Bergesch, Michael Hesterberg, Jennifer Hesterberg and Steven Hesterberg. Cory Rees and Jason Busken are honorary casketbearers.
A visitation will be held on Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at Schlanker Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bellflower Cemetery Association, in care of Schlanker Funeral Home, 207 Danville Road, Montgomery City, Missouri 63361.
