F. Robert Avery, 86, of Mendota died Dec. 21, 2009, in Heritage Manor Nursing Home, Mendota. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday in First United Methodist Church, Mendota, with the Rev. Michael Morrell officiating. Burial will be at Restland Cemetery, Mendota.Visitation is 4-6 p.m. Tuesday in Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota. Mr. Avery was born Feb. 10, 1923, in Paw Paw to Ferris and Ethel (Knetsch) Avery. He married Betty Bauer on April 27, 1942, in Missouri. He was a farmer in the Compton and Mendota area. He also owned and operated Avery Fertilizer and Trucking in Mendota since 1963. He served on the Mendota High School board of education, where he was a past president. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, a 50- year member of Mendota Elks Lodge 1212 and a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He also was a member of Mendota Moose Lodge, Mendota Optimist Club and the Eastern Star. He is survived by his wife of Mendota; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Lois Buchanan of Mendota. He was preceded in death by two sons, Donald Avery and the Rev. James Avery; and one brother, Dale Avery. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, Mendota, or the donor's choice.