Ramon E. (Bud) Archer, 87, of Mendota, passed away on March 25, 2021 at OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center in Rockford.

A private family funeral service will be held Monday, March 29, 2021 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Compton with Rev. Jeff Schlesinger officiating. Military honors will conducted by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Cremation rites will be accorded afterwards and burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 28, 2021 from 1-3 p.m. at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Mask wearing is required and social distancing recommended.

Bud was born in Compton on August 15, 1933 to William A. (Bill) and L. Ione (Olson) Archer. He was the youngest of three brothers. He grew up and went to school in the Compton area. Bud married Arlene Bialas on May 1, 1960.

Bud is survived by his wife Arlene and children, Melissa (Ron) Blum, and Gregg (Chris) Archer. Grandchildren are Allie (Dan), Matt (Emily), Robert (Lydia), Alex (Philippa), Lexie (Justin), Kristin (Dougie), Tyler, Jacklynn (Jacob), Emily, Anthony, Kayden, and Mackenna. Great-grandchildren are Bentley, Paislee. Kinsley, and Faith. He also had many nieces and nephews, their children, and grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Richard Archer, 87, and his sister-in-law Ardis Archer, both of Florida.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gene Archer, and his sister-in-law, Rita Archer.

Bud was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher and as a Church Council President. He served in the United States Army from 1953-1955. He then worked for Alexander Lumber Co., Torri Grain Co., and Fasco Mills Co. for 19 1/2 years. He and Arlene raised their two children and farmed together by Compton from the mid-1960s until they moved to Mendota in 1994. Bud also worked for Del Monte for 19 years. Additionally, he worked at Johnson Paint Co. of Compton and occasionally worked for farmers Elling Johnson and Gail Zimmerman. Bud was a Village Clerk in Compton, a volunteer on the Fire Department, a Webolos leader, an assistant Boy Scout leader, a Master of Brooklyn Lodge #282 AF & AM, and a Commander of American Legion Post #657. He loved camping, hunting, fishing, playing cards, having coffee and toast in Compton, woodworking, taking photographs & videos, playing on the computer, watching westerns, and spending time with his family. Everyone knew and enjoyed his constant sense of humor. He truly loved going on nature rides and taking pictures and videos of wildlife, especially on Beaver Road near West Brooklyn. Melissa and Gregg feel deeply blessed to have had such an amazing father, and Arlene feels the same about her beloved husband of 60 years. He will be truly missed and loved by all who knew him.

Memorials may be directed to your choice of Shriners Hospital for Children, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Wounded Warrior Project.