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- (Research):Melinda S. Behrends, 64, of Ashkum passed away on May 21, 2023 at 6:45 p.m. at her mother, June Timm's home. Her husband, Lyle Behrends, held her hand and was surrounded by many family members at her family farm.
She was born November 3,1958 in Kankakee, the daughter of Richard J. and June (Mietzner) Timm of Chebanse.
She married Lyle Behrends at the Chebanse Zion Lutheran Church on August 31,1996, he survives.
Besides her mother, June, her surviving siblings are Alan Timm of Chebanse; Larry and (Sue) Timm of Hoopeston; Wayne (Karla) Timm of Bloomington; one sister-in-law, Dr. Linda Timm of Milwaukee, WI and one sister, Cindy (Paul) Scheunemann of Port Washington, WI.
Also surviving are her in-laws, Duane and Monica Behrends of Chebanse and Diane Behrends of Chebanse; Dennis (Renee) Behrends of Danforth, Glenn (Cynthia) Behrends of Bloomington, Beth Behrends of Ashkum, Alan (Jessie) Behrends of Clifton and David (Sarah) Behrends of Cabery.
"Aunt Melinda" immensely enjoyed her 33 nieces and nephews and 32 great-nieces and nephews. She was a Godmother to Toni Martin, Zackary Timm, Christa Hickman, Sarah Reel and Spring Mau.
She was preceded in death by her father Richard J. and her brother, Dale R. Timm.
Melinda was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in Chebanse all her life. She was a graduate of Central High School. As a young girl growing up Melinda was a member of the Chebanse Ag 4-H Club showing her family's beloved registered Jersey cattle herd at many county and state fairs.
She worked with her mother at Kraft General Foods in Kankakee for 17 years.
A highlight for her was the annual girls trip.
Melinda and Lyle shared their love of rural America and grew their Behrends Farm and Home Hardware Store in Cabery. Their business and family was their life. In 1998, they bought the the Onarga Hardware Store. Eventually that store was demolished and rebuilt. After months of hard work, and Melinda right beside Lyle every step of the building process their business was expanded. They put up dry wall, taped, sanded painted and organized together for their grand opening in June of 2021. She enjoyed the spring with flowers and plants, and going to hardware buying shows.
Melinda was a fighter, and fought her battle hard against cancer.
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1958 - 2023 (64 years)