Melvin A. Florence, 47, of Rensselaer died Saturday, June 2, 2000 at Home Hospital in Lafayette. He had been ill for 5 1/2 years.

He was born September 1, 1952 in Rensselaer, the son of Melvin Lloyd and Adalyn (Schultz) Florence. He had lived in Rensselaer all his life except for 5 years in Monon.

He graduated from Rensselaer Central High School in 1972 and married Cynthia "Cindy" Degroot on March 19, 1988. She survives along with one son, Paul Michael Florence of Logansport and two daughters, Debra Ann Florence of Logansport and Megan Nicole Florence of Rensselaer. One brother. Kevin (Rose) Florence of Mt. Ayr and one sister, Kathy (Denny) Westfall of LaPorte.

He was an auto mechanic and worked at Gutwein Motor Company in Monon for 25 years. He was a member of Iroquois Valley Christian Church.

Funeral services were Tuesday, at the Jackson Funeral Chapel in Rensselaer with Rev. Paul Spickerman officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the family.