OSHA field agent and instructor
Lester Timothy “Tim” Mellin, 77, a resident of Forest Park for more than 50 years, died peacefully on Feb. 13, 2023. Born on Nov. 3, 1945 in Terre Haute, Indiana to Lester and Mary Lou Mellin (nee McKenna), he grew up in Maywood and graduated from Proviso East High School in 1963. There he met the love of his life, Margie. After graduating from St. Joseph College in Rensselaer, Indiana, he worked as a microbiologist at Keebler for more than a decade. Deciding to switch careers in the early 1980s, he earned a master’s degree in Industrial Hygiene from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb and went to work in the field of industrial safety, culminating with a career at OSHA as a field agent and training instructor.
An avid tool collector and bargain hunter, he was rarely able to pass by a garage sale or flea market looking for the next great deal. He also had a passion for collecting New York Central Railroad antiques, having had a grandfather who worked at the Terre Haute roundhouse on the beautiful old steam locomotives.
Tim Mellin was the husband of Margie (nee Hovorka) for 54 years; the father of Timmy (Michelle), Lara, and Alice Enochs (Robert); the brother of John (Mari-Ann); the grandfather of Sean, Robin, Ryan and Kyle; and the uncle of 10 nieces and nephews.
Memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, March 11, from 1-4 p.m., followed by a memorial service at Zimmerman-Harnett Funeral Home, 7319 Madison St., Forest Park, IL 60130.
In lieu of flowers, donation to the American Heart Association are appreciated (www.heart.org)
