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Melvin Block, 79, a longtime Chicago pawnbroker, died Wednesday in Rush North Shore Medical Center, Skokie. Mr. Block lived in Wilmette for 32 years. He was a staff sergeant in the Army in World War II. He worked as a pawnbroker for one of Chicago’s largest pawnshops, Stern’s Loan Office, 2300 W. Madison St., before it closed in 1968 after being destroyed in riots that year. Later, he and two partners in 1969 formed Clark Pawners, 2626 N. Clark St., Chicago. Mr. Block retired after selling the company in 1990. He is survived by his wife, Rita; three sons, Ed, Martin and Richard; a sister; and a brother. Services will be held at noon Friday in Weinstein Brothers Wilmette Chapel, 111 Skokie Blvd., Wilmette.
