January 28, 1941 – December 29, 2023
Born January 28, 1941, at home in New Lancaster, KS, to Eugene Bailey Brown and May Loraine Massey Brown. He was the youngest of three – his brother, Donald, and his sister, Juanita. Pastor John Anderson baptized Melvin on December 28, 1948, at New Lancaster Methodist Church. He graduated from LaCygne High School in 1958. He married LaVeta Mae Miller on July 17, 1960, at First Lutheran Church in Paola. Reverend Homer Kurth confirmed him there on December 18, 1960. Melvin and LaVeta had two daughters, Brenda and Debbie.
Melvin spent his early years farming for himself. In 1962 he started working for Ivan Karr on a farm in the New Lancaster Community. He worked for a short time for International Pipe and Ceramics Company in Paola. In 1963 he began working for Taylor Forge in the maintenance department until he retired in April of 2001. After retirement he enjoyed working part time for his nephew, Shawn Miller, assembling cabinets.
Melvin enjoyed coaching and umpiring girls fast pitch softball, hunting, fishing, and traveling to Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, Texas, Maine, and many other wonderful places with family and friends. He LOVED watching KU Basketball. Most of all, he loved teaching his passion for hunting and fishing to the younger generations. He was an avid outdoor sportsman and went on many adventures with his brother-in-laws, nephews, and other young men who wanted to learn more about the outdoors. Melvin loved telling stories and seemed to know someone wherever he went. He loved his family and in his retirement enjoyed watching his great nephews and nieces growing up around him. He and LaVeta were actively involved at church. He ushered, held various board positions, and was a Stephen Minister for several years. Melvin lived his last two years at Vintage Park of Paola where he was surrounded by staff who loved and cared for him deeply.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his sister, and two nieces, Jesica and Janet. Those left behind to cherish his memory are his daughter, Brenda Fleming and husband Mike, of Paola; Mike’s sons, Trent and Trevor (Chelsea) Fleming and baby Carter; his daughter, Debbie Mora and husband Dave of Kansas City, Mo; his brother, Donald; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews; and other beloved friends and relatives. He will be missed by all that knew him.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorials be made to Vintage Park of Paola. Those funds will provide for the residents to stay active and go on the outings that Melvin loved. Memorials may also be given to Sonshine Preschool, Paola, KS, for educating young children in a Christian environment.
Visitation will be Friday, January 5, 2024 from 10 - 11 a.m. at the Lighthouse Presbyterian Church, 1402 E. 303 St., Paola, KS 66071. The service will be Friday, January 5, 2024,
at 11 a.m. at the Lighthouse Presbyterian Church. Burial at Miami Memorial Gardens, 28863 W. 327 St., Paola, KS. For more information, go to https://www.dengelmortuary.com/obituaries.
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