Melvin Clark “Mel” Dyer Sr., 86, of Humboldt, died at 11:01 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Edwards Funeral Home at 221 East Main St. in Arcola. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m., following visitation, at the funeral home. There will be a fellowship meal for family and friends at the Humboldt Town Hall following all of the services on Saturday.
Mr. Dyer was born on January 16, 1940, in Litchfield. He was a son of Clifton Hannibal and Lola B. (Jackson) Dyer. He married Bessie Jean Seago on February 15, 1968, in Litchfield.
Mr. Dyer was a legend. He was born in Illinois and raised in Tennessee. He moved back to Illinois in his later teens after a brief stay in Florida. He impacted the life of everyone he met. He moved all around the state of Illinois, had his eldest son in Ohio, and settled in Coles County in the 1980’s with his beloved wife Bessie and kids. He finally landed in Humboldt, a place that he loved. He owned his own trash service for eight years. He worked and retired from Effingham Clay Elevator in Humboldt after ten years. He had many construction, carpentry, millwright and painting jobs throughout his journey as well. He even coined the term locally known as “Melvin Red” for his love of painting everything he owned “Melvin Red.” Hard work was something that he enjoyed doing. He made work not so much like “work” for anyone around him due to his sense of humor.
Mr. Dyer enjoyed coon hunting, raising livestock, gardening, country music and drinking a warm Budweiser. He loved spending time with his kids and grandkids. To many, he is known as Grandad. He was very fond of his grandkids as were they of him. He has a son, grandson, and great-grandson, all named after him. The legend lives on.
Mr. Dyer is survived by his wife, Bessie of Humboldt; three sons, Melvin Clark Dyer Jr., Hanibal Clayton Dyer (wife, Krystal) and Harlan Waymore Dyer (wife, Diane “DJ”), all of Humboldt; 13 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Russell Dyer (wife, Eva) of Hillsboro and Roger Dyer (wife, Sonja) of Kiefer, OK; and two sisters, Wanda Allen (husband, Jack) of Warsaw, MO, and Carla Dawdy (husband, Troy) of Hillsboro.
He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Cynthia Burch; three brothers, Terry Dyer, Tony Dyer and Stanley Dyer; and three sisters, Nellie Crabtree, Joann Hollers and Lovia Cowgill.
Edwards Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send flowers or leave an online condolence, visit edwardsfh.net.
