Melvin B. Harvell
Melvin B. Harvell, 79, of Jonesboro, died at 1:03 a.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
He was born March 31, 1942, the son of Thomas N. Harvell and Pearl Jane Bridges Harvell.
He married Clara F. Morgan Harvell on July 21, 1962.
He served in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Protector and later served in the Cuban Missile Crisis on the USS DuPont.
He was a long-time iron worker and retired from Local No. 782. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro.
Mr. Harvell enjoyed frequenting auctions and yard sales and loved finding “special treasures” for his family that he so dearly loved and cared for.
He enjoyed camping, fishing and collecting everything. He loved a good Igloo cooler, and you would rarely find him without a fully stocked one so he could share his drinks and snacks.
He never met a stranger and was a positive light everywhere he went. He truly enjoyed life to its fullest.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Clara Harvell of Jonesboro; a son, Tony Harvell of Jonesboro; daughters Karen Rhine Harvell of Anna, Stacey (Eric) Chilman of Jonesboro and Janice (Eric) Osman of Anna; grandchildren Chey (Joseph) Harvell-Giles, Cory (Alex) Heembrock, Evan Chilman, Dylan Chilman, Addison Osman and Avery Osman; great-grandchildren Ardea Rhine and Maverick Heembrock; two sisters, Wilma Hoyle and Kim Harvell Guetersloh; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Dale and Norman Harvell; a granddaughter, Manda K. Rhine; and his mother-in-law, Lorene Morgan.
Memorial services were held Monday, June 14, at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Doors opened at 4 p.m. Services followed at 4:30 p.m.
Military rites were conducted by Carroll P. Foster Post No. 3455 of the VFW in Anna. Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To view the obituary and to leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro was in charge of arrangements.