Meldine "Mel" Piquard nee Luckhaupt, of Belleville, IL born March 18, 1934 passed away at Belleville Memorial Hospital on May 4, 2008 following a courageous battle with Lymphoma.

Mel was born and raised in Chester, IL. She moved to St. Louis when she was 18 years old. She met and married Jack Piquard a year later and they have been married for 55 years. Mel assisted her husband in their construction business. After raising her two daughters, Mel pursued her life-long passion of art. She studied art at Southwestern Illinois College and Shiloh School of Art. Her art work has been displayed in many galleries and art shows in the Metro East area, Destin and Pensacola, Florida. She was involved in the first "Art on the Square". As well as her passion for art, Mel had a love for music. She was an accomplished pianist and keyboard player. Mel was involved in philanthropy through the Delta Theta Tau Sorority for many years. With her art, music, fun-loving nature and sense of humor, Mel made this place a better world.

Preceded in death by her mother and father, Edith and Rudolph Luckhaupt
A brother who died in infancy.

Survived by Husband Jack Piquard;
Daughters, Angela Piquard (Steve Kallemeier) and
Shelley Piquard (John Sunderland); and
Her grandson, Charles Kallemeier;
Step-grandson, Sam Sunderland;
Sister, Rudelle (Emil) Onderdonk; a
Brother, Richard (Barbara) Luckhaupt and
many beloved nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to extend our appreciation to all of the doctors and nurses at Memorial Hospital and Convalescent Center as well as Heartland Hospice. They have truly treated us as family.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice and The Humane Society of Belleville.

Condolences: Condolences may be made at CaringBridge.com under MeldinePiquard.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4-8pm Tuesday May 6, 2008 at Kurrus Funeral Home.

Funeral: Funeral Service will be at 11:00am Wednesday May 7, 2008 at Kurrus Funeral Home with Rev. Jim Robinson officiating. Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens of Memory in Fairview Heights, Ill.