Charles Melling, Jr., 102, of Clinton, Missouri died Tuesday afternoon July 11, 2017 at his home.
He was born on June 24, 1915 in Elmira, Mo., the son of Charles Melling Sr., and Jessie C. (Violet) Melling. He married Marjorie Lucile Kelly on August 8, 1948 in Kidder, Mo. She preceded him in death on May 21, 2017.
Charles was a reel operator for ARMCO Steel for thirty-one years, retiring in 1967. He was a member of the Golden Valley Christian Church in Clinton, a sixty-five plus year member of the Masonic order, and a sixty plus year member of the Order of Eastern Star. He enjoyed all sports, hunting, and traveling. Charles honorably served his country in World War II with the United States Army Air Corp. He received three bronze stars, Good Conduct medal, six overseas bars, and the European African Middle East Theatre Campaign ribbon and lapel button. Charles played professional baseball with the Kansas City Blues, the New York Yankees top farm club, where he was an accomplished left handed pitcher.
Surviving are one daughter, Marsha Gwen Stanton and husband Brian, Denton, Texas; one granddaughter, Erin Leigh Stanton, Lewisville, Tx.; and one grandson, Micah John Melling, Kansas City, Mo.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son Mark Melling on April 21, 2011; his parents; and three brothers, George Melling in 1921, Robert Melling in 2000, and Teddy Melling in 2016.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., just prior to the funeral service. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Kidder Cemetery in Kidder, Mo. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Golden Valley Christian Church, Twin Lakes Hospice, or the Clinton Senior Center. These donations may be left in care of the funeral home.
