Terry E. Mellinger 59 of Little Mountain died Wednesday March 25 2015 at Lexington Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Saturday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church by the Rev. Brett Collins and the Rev. David Tholstrup. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will follow the service at the Church. He was born in Watseka IL on June 11 1955 a son of the late LeRoy E. and Mary H. Townsend Mellinger. He was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. He served with the Little Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and belonged to the NRA. Terry was a certified nuclear welder and a pipe fitter who created beauty through his welding. He also enjoyed his years managing a convenience store. His love of life was evident through his actions. His family and friends will remember him as a compassionate caring loving man who never met a stranger and who developed friendships with people of all walks of life. His granddaughter will remember him as an amazing grandfather and many will remember the delicious foods he enjoyed preparing. . He is survived by his wife of 18 years Cheryl Fulmer (Evans) Mellinger; children Tara E Mellinger Koon (Dennis) of Little Mountain and Ty Jerome Mellinger of Asheville NC; granddaughter Kamryn KK Koon; siblings Larry Mellinger (Kathy) of Madison TN and Pam Bloomquist of Sheldon IL; and a number of nieces nephews great nephews cousins and friends. Memorials are suggested to the SPCA; to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool P.O. Box 186 Little Mountain SC 29075; or to the Little Mountain Fire Department. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home Chapin is assisting the family.