Eddie Mellers

William Edwin Mellers, who became lovingly known as Eddie, was born on the 5^th of July 1939 to parents Lilly and Charles in Owston Ferry, nestled within the Isle of Axholme. He was the second youngest of nine children; two of his siblings died when they were only children, leaving Eddie with six sisters. Eddie was born into a world very different from the one we know today; it was a time marked by the shadows of war looming over Europe, with families preparing for uncertain times ahead. Life then was simpler yet challenging, communities tightly knit, and family bonds strong. Eddie's childhood unfolded during an era shaped by resilience, hard work, and profound changes that would forever transform society, making his life journey all the more remarkable.

As you can imagine, it was a bustling household at their home, an Airy House, which was similar to a prefab with paper-thin walls. The bedroom became a useful destination for Eddie in his teenage years as he and his friend next door made a hole between their rooms through which they used to pass cigarettes! Despite the busy surroundings, there was one clear advantage for Eddie, having six sisters meant he got a bedroom of his own, though the hand-me-down clothes he inherited often proved to be somewhat interesting. Eddie would joke, "I never knew what I was going to wear, a dress or trousers!"  Bath times were particularly memorable; a tin bath would be placed in front of the fire, and Eddie would be instructed to wait patiently in his room while each of his sisters took their turn. His dad, thoughtfully trying to ease the wait, would buy Eddie a comic to keep him entertained. Being the only boy, Eddie was always the last to be called, stepping into the water only after everyone else had finished.

Eddie attended the village school but was never too keen on the academic side. He much preferred anything sporty. The one subject he did enjoy was Geography, with which he really engaged and proved to be very good. Although his mum always turned him out smartly with what little money she had, Eddie had to pass another school on the way to his and the boys there would rough him up, so by the time he arrived, he was often mucky and scuffed. Known for mucking about, teachers would often give him jobs to keep him out of the classroom, including delivering school meals. He and his friends got up to mischief, once placing prickly plants in the gap of the ladies’ toilets to give the female teachers a surprise tickle, and stealing apples (this then led to a trip to the local police station!) Eddie had a further altercation with the local force when he and his friends put the local bobby’s bike in the school pond! Discipline was strict at school, and Eddie often got the cane, which he had to pick and cut down before the headmaster used it. His dad was also strict, and Eddie would be in even more trouble when he got home for having been in trouble at school.

Eddie once told his school friends it was his birthday, and they all turned up with presents. His mum, Lilly, played along and gave them a lovely tea party, but afterwards, she gave Eddie a stern word and made him return every gift. He often had friends over for tea, and one famously said, “I’m full up to gob, Mrs Mellers!”, a phrase that stuck and became a favourite in the family. During his teenage years, Eddie was popular with the girls and once hide under the table when at ex showed up.

Eddie's mother, Lilly, was known as the matriarch in their community often assisting with both births and deaths. Friends and neighbours frequently brought their freshly baked cakes to Lilly, who had a talent for icing and decorating them. Eddie and one of his sisters would then deliver the cakes back to their owners, cheerfully roller skating through the streets. Lilly was also well known for her delicious homemade pies, skilfully prepared from offal - nothing was ever wasted in her resourceful kitchen.

During potato picking season, children were given tickets to miss school and help with the harvest, a time to which Eddie looked forward, as it meant fresh air and a break from the classroom. From around age ten, he spent school holidays at his aunt and uncle’s farm in Gainsborough, which he absolutely loved. He helped with everything from milking cows to mucking out pigs and was paid in cigarettes. His Christmases were spent on the farm where he believed he saw the real Santa and was mocked until his teenage years for being such a strong believer! The farm sat next to an army camp, and his uncle was friendly with the soldiers, often visiting the NAAFI. Eddie wasn’t allowed in the bar, so he waited in the kitchen, where the lads would bring him cigarettes to smoke.

The times spent on the farm were some of Eddie’s best. He never stopped sharing those stories and took Carol to show her where the farm and army camp once stood, always retelling his adventures to her and the rest of the family.

Eddie's farm days led to him having a real love for cows and shire horses, often saying, “When the cows lie down, it’s going to rain.” He’d talk to them gently, blowing into their nostrils and calling, “Cous, cous, cous.” He especially loved attending the Festival of the Plough, where farmers showcased their skills. It was always a highlight for him, surrounded by family, explaining about the tractors and what they were doing, encouraging the kids to get involved. Ever the generous grandad, he’d buy them candy floss and sweets, proudly sharing something he loved with the next generation.

In his teenage years Eddie played for a local football team, he was a good player, very competitive whilst also having a laugh. He enjoyed playing for many years. He was a Scunthorpe United fan and loved going to watch their games with his friends, which went on to become a family occasion with each member going with him at some point.

Upon leaving school he continued to do some farm work and would drive an old tractor and go pick up the ladies who were going to do the potato picking. After realising he needed to earn more money he started his first proper job but hated it as it was working inside, so he eventually moved to Sandtoft Tile Factory once, again working outside loading pallets of tiles on to lorries, having competitions with his colleagues as to who could load the most. Eddie stayed in this role until he retired.

During his time at Sandtoft Eddie struck up a great friendship with his workmate Malc, and the two shared many laughs over the years. On one memorable occasion, they were chosen to speak with Prince Charles during a visit to the tile factory. No one’s quite sure what was said, but the three of them ended up in complete hysterics, with the photo reaching the local paper. Eddie, as always, just being himself: relaxed, warm, and effortlessly funny. Within the last fifteen years of his working life Eddie passed his forklift license. Once whilst driving it out of the factory he forgot to put his prongs down and went into the side of a car which didn’t go down too well.

One bonus of having six sisters was that they didn’t just fight over who would clean Eddie's shoes, they also taught him how to dance. They would often attend dances at the village hall together, and after endless dances with each of his sisters what a fabulous dancer he became. Eddie loved a good party and had many over the years. He was always the first to get up, encouraging everyone to join him on the dance floor.

Eddie met Freda in 1961, and in the years that followed, they started a family together. In 1966, they welcomed their first daughter, Louise, followed by Kate in 1970. Eddie worked hard to support his young family and was a proud and loving father. Freda, Louise, and Kate were already neighbours of Carol and her daughter Jenny. Jenny would often play with Louise and Kate. Although the families knew each other well, Eddie himself wasn’t as familiar, he was rarely seen, always busy at work.

In time, Eddie’s marriage to Freda sadly broke down. As life moved on, a twist of fate brought Eddie and Carol together. A neighbour played matchmaker by encouraging Carol to do a bit of shopping for him. That small gesture led to Eddie asking her to join him at a football match at the old Scunthorpe ground, where the reserves were playing a Liverpool team - thinking she might enjoy it, being from Liverpool herself. They left at half time, as Liverpool were winning by so many goals, and Eddie suggested going for a drink at a pub by the River Trent, a place he loved. On another date, he took Carol to a dance, though she felt self-conscious, believing she had two left feet. But they got on well… and the rest, as they say, is history.

Jenny, who was around four at the time, had lovely times playing with Kate and saw her like a big sister. Eventually, Eddie moved in with them, and much to Jenny’s delight, he brought with him his colour TV and video player.

During his time on his own Eddie’s sisters would call around and fill his freezer up with pies. He once defrosted what he thought was a gooseberry pie and after covering it with custard discovered it was a meat pie but still ate it anyway.

On the 3^rd of August 1984, Eddie and Carol, quietly slipped away to get married at Scunthorpe Register Office with just their witnesses by their side. Kate and Jenny joined them on their honeymoon to St Agnes, where they all enjoyed a lovely time together.

Each year, family holidays were spent at Eurocamp in France, with memorable trips to Euro Disney and even Disneyland in America. Although Eddie would often say he didn’t know what all the fuss was about, and wasn’t keen on the expense, once there, he embraced every moment, loving everything about America, driving the big cars, especially enjoying the food and all the rollercoasters.

In the years that followed, Eddie and Carol enjoyed going on mini cruises, as Eddie loved seeing new places. Carol once booked a 60s music cruise along the River Rhine, which Eddie absolutely loved, dancing the night away. When Carol sat down for a rest, other ladies would often ask if they could have a dance with him.

Having six sisters meant Eddie had a huge extended family. As a true family man, he loved nothing more than family get togethers and being visited by his sisters, nieces, nephews, and later great nieces and nephews. He always seemed to be everyone’s favourite uncle as he would ply them with sweets from his tin, share stories of the mischief he got up to, and take an interest in their lives and achievements.

Eddie had a deep love for canals, rivers and the sea. Just a few days before he died, he wanted to take a ride out to Alkborough, where you can see the meeting point of three rivers, the Humber, the Trent, and the Ouse. It was calm, quiet, and peaceful, a place he truly enjoyed.

The family also had many happy holidays in Cornwall, but as travelling became more difficult, Eddie’s favourite place became Amble in Northumberland. Although Eddie loved travel he also loved being in his own home, pottering in his garden and would always keep the bird feeders full as he enjoyed watching the different birds that came to visit. He would cut his grass in perfect straight lines and when Carol did it, he would sit in his chair guiding her to get the lines right.

Eddie was a sociable man who enjoyed Friday nights out, heading to the local pubs with friends from his younger years right up until the Covid pandemic. He was especially close to his son in-law Jamie, who had moved from Dagenham years earlier. Eddie made sure to include him in Friday night outings and football matches, his way of helping Jamie settle in, make new friends, and feel at home.

Eddie was overjoyed to become a grandad to Luca, Freya, Tilly, Katie, and Toby. He was a truly fabulous grandad: patient; playful and completely devoted. He loved nothing more than spending time with them, whether it was watching sports or playing endless games. From kicking a ball to throwing it, he had infinite patience. He’d take them to the park, buy them sweets, and even show them how to do somersaults over the bar, though he probably shouldn’t have been!

Eddie taught them all how to play cards, and there was endless fun playing Newmarket for pennies around the table. When Luca was born, Eddie's advice to Louise was, “Get him into football and he’ll always have mates”, and he was right.

Freya remembers him as her cherished, cheeky, and much-loved grandad, who was always trying to get her tiddly. Tilly would never miss a visit to go and see grandma and grandad, at the weekends and she loved helping them with any little jobs. Eddie was deeply loved by his grandchildren, and the joy he brought them, and they brought him, will never be forgotten.

Eddie also played bowls, not only did he love it he was good at it and was selected to play for Humberside and was so proud telling everyone. However, after receiving his blazer and badge he never got to wear them as not long after the county itself folded! When playing ten pin bowling with the family he would score strikes constantly, laughing loudly with his infectious laugh.

Eddie embraced his retirement years with happiness and contentment. He was always willing to help out with childcare and enjoyed meeting his friends once a month at the Men’s Society. He loved playing snooker and billiards, and his days were filled with friendly visits, he had so many people who would drop by. He’d often chat with the workmen next door during their coffee breaks and loved nothing more than a trip to the local garden centre for a coffee and a toasted teacake, where he’d bump into familiar faces and catch up with the gossip.

After Covid, Eddie found things harder and began suffering from dizzy spells. He battled through various illnesses with quiet strength, never once complaining. Even while receiving radiotherapy for lung cancer, he remained cheerful, laughing with the nurses, who truly loved having him. He shared with them his warmth, wit, and endless banter.

Right to the end, Eddie was cracking jokes. On one occasion, he got chatting with an Indian nurse about cricket and told him, with a twinkle in his eye, that his team was “just too good.” He was naturally nosey, in the best way, and would always manage to find out everyone’s business. Eddie simply loved the chat, the connection, and the laughter. Because of his sincere and kind-hearted nature, the nurses always went that extra mile for him even bringing him newspapers.

On the 24^th of April, Eddie died, surrounded by love and his family at Scunthorpe General hospital.

Eddie will be remembered for his lovely personality, being cheeky, mischievous, and full of laughter. His sense of humour was infectious, and his laugh could brighten any room. He had a natural warmth that drew people in, and a sincerity that made them stay. He had a habit of calling everyone “duck,” a small, familiar term that somehow made you feel instantly at ease. Above all, Eddie was a man who loved deeply, his heart firmly rooted in his love for Carol, his pride in his children and grandchildren, and the friendships he held dear. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, humour, and devotion that will live on in all who knew and loved him.

Personal Tributes for Eddie

Louise:

Although he was a ladies’ man, he was loved by men and women alike - but he was… my dad.
He was a perfect grandad. He was the perfect dad and grandad to his new family - but he was… my dad.
He was a good husband to Carol, and they shared an undeniable bond - but he was… my dad.
He was everything that everybody said about him - but he was… my dad.
He was a good sport, he loved sport, and he loved Scunthorpe United - but he was… my dad.
He was one of the lads - but he was… my dad.
He loved his sweetie tin and being naughty - but he was… my dad.

He will always be… my dad.

Kate:
Dad was always a good sport. He had a cheeky sense of humour and loved sport, especially football and cricket. He was ‘one of the lads.’

He loved his family. We spent hours at Haxey Gate, where he would always sit with his back to the wall so he could see what was going on. Dad also enjoyed a meal overlooking the Trent at West Stockwith.

I will really miss his dry sense of humour and the giggles we had when we both knew we’d been up to mischief. We’ll miss him as the catalyst that kept us all together.

Jenny:

You stepped up to love another’s child as your own,

You stepped up to provide, protect, encourage and support.

You stepped up to show up when it mattered the most,

You may not have given me life. But life gave me you.

Thank you for being the dad you didn't have to be. I love You

Tilly:

I love my grandad, our nickname to each other was Fathead! He always used to say ‘what are you laughing at Tilly, what’s making you smile?’ He always made me laugh and smile. Love you Fathead.

Katie:

Grandad was always making witty remarks and making everyone laugh, it was rare that I’d be with him and not laugh at something he was doing.

He also had a way of making me feel truly special. If I was ever feeling down about myself, he would make it all go away, he just had this way of making me feel like I mattered.

And one more thing, I loved seeing him and my grandma together. The love they had for each other has really influenced me and shown me what real love looks like.