Lanson Blake Melvin

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Lanson Blake Melvin, 84, of Arbyrd, Mo., died Friday Nov. 9, 2012, at Monette Manor Nursing Center in Monette. Born in Cumberland County, N.C., he was the son of the late Wayman and Hattie Horne Melvin and had been a longtime Indiana resident before moving to the Arbyrd area in 1973. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, was retired from Frolic Footwear in Monette and attended the Church of Christ in Arbyrd.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, an infant sister, a son, Kenny Melvin, a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Melvin, a stepson, Gary Dempsey, a grandson, David Dempsey, a great-granddaughter, Hannah Kelems.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Maxine Melvin of the home; his son, Randy Melvin of Roseboro, N.C.; two daughters,

Patricia Cloninger of Leachville and Margaret Cloud of Monette; four stepsons, Danny Dempsey of Arbyrd, Michael Dempsey of Hornersville, Mo., Larry Dempsey of Southhaven, Miss., Ed Dempsey of Leachville; two stepdaughters, Caroline Rece of Leachville and Linda Perkins of Arbyrd, Mo., two sisters, Nina Jackson of Liberty, Ind., and Annie Rouse of Garland, N.C. He also leaves 26 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Monday in the Howard Funeral Service Chapel in Leachville with Alvin Leach officiating. Burial followed in the Cardwell Cemetery under the direction of Howard Funeral Service. The family received visitors Sunday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Guest register is www.howardfuneralservice.com.