John Melvin Irvin
(July 11, 1911 - January 16, 2016)
A celebration of life service will be held for John Irvin at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the First Christian Church, 900 Jackson Street in Chillicothe. There was a cremation with burial in Edgewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and left at the church or mailed to Wright-Baker-Hill Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.
John Melvin Irvin was born in Chillicothe July 11, 1911, to Clifford and Maude (Jarrell) Irvin. He graduated in 1929 from Chillicothe High School and attended the University of Missouri – Columbia. On September 21, 1935, he married Virgie Kibler, who preceded him in death on April 9, 2010. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Mary Frances Petros of San Francisco, California; nephews, John Irvin of Glendale, California, and Jarrell Irvin of Mountain View, California; and nieces, Linda Menke of Tallahassee, Florida, Karen Reynolds of Shelbyville, Saundra Gray of Columbia, and Janet Petros of San Francisco, California. In addition to his wife, Virgie, John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, infant, Jarrell Irvin and Fred Irvin; and many dear friends.
For all but two of John’s 104 years, he lived in Chillicothe. As a little boy, he watched the sparks fly from the hooves of the horses pulling the fire wagons down Washington Street and well after his 100th birthday, he was still the go-to man for information on the history of all things Chillicothe.
John was a much-respected retired businessman and civic leader. He was the founder and president of Irvinbilt Company, a general contracting firm, and was president of Midwest Concrete and Asphalt Company. Both companies were located in Chillicothe. Irvinbilt was responsible for building several churches, schools and businesses in Chillicothe as well as in other towns in Missouri, Iowa and Kansas. The company’s first commercial project in Chillicothe was the old Ben Bolt Theater. John retired from Irvinbilt in 1977, but he continued to be involved with building projects in Chillicothe, Arrow Rock, and Canton.
He was an avid supporter of civic betterment and the fine arts. He was one of the founders of the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and the Chillicothe Rotary Foundation. He served on many boards in Chillicothe and throughout the state, including boards of the Friends of Arrow Rock, the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Culver Stockton College, the Missouri Council on the Arts, Missouri Mansion Preservation, Inc., and the Missouri Advisory Board on Historic Preservation.
Locally, John was a 93-year member of the First Christian Church where he served in many capacities, including as a Sunday school teacher and Elder. He was a member and leader in many organizations and served on the board of directors for Hope Haven Industries, the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chillicothe Rotary Club, and the Salvation Army. Additionally, he authored two books, “The Czech Escape” honoring two Chillicothe friends, Dr. George and Erika Mandler who came to Chillicothe as Holocaust survivors; and “Ed Lee” honoring the Chillicothe veterinarian who was a neighbor to the Irvins when John was growing up. Ed Lee’s land eventually became the building site for Hope Haven Industries.
John enjoyed get-togethers with family and friends, playing golf, and traveling. He and Virgie visited many countries and most of the United States. His life was a life well lived.
(July 11, 1911 - January 16, 2016)
A celebration of life service will be held for John Irvin at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the First Christian Church, 900 Jackson Street in Chillicothe. There was a cremation with burial in Edgewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and left at the church or mailed to Wright-Baker-Hill Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.
John Melvin Irvin was born in Chillicothe July 11, 1911, to Clifford and Maude (Jarrell) Irvin. He graduated in 1929 from Chillicothe High School and attended the University of Missouri – Columbia. On September 21, 1935, he married Virgie Kibler, who preceded him in death on April 9, 2010. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Mary Frances Petros of San Francisco, California; nephews, John Irvin of Glendale, California, and Jarrell Irvin of Mountain View, California; and nieces, Linda Menke of Tallahassee, Florida, Karen Reynolds of Shelbyville, Saundra Gray of Columbia, and Janet Petros of San Francisco, California. In addition to his wife, Virgie, John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, infant, Jarrell Irvin and Fred Irvin; and many dear friends.
For all but two of John’s 104 years, he lived in Chillicothe. As a little boy, he watched the sparks fly from the hooves of the horses pulling the fire wagons down Washington Street and well after his 100th birthday, he was still the go-to man for information on the history of all things Chillicothe.
John was a much-respected retired businessman and civic leader. He was the founder and president of Irvinbilt Company, a general contracting firm, and was president of Midwest Concrete and Asphalt Company. Both companies were located in Chillicothe. Irvinbilt was responsible for building several churches, schools and businesses in Chillicothe as well as in other towns in Missouri, Iowa and Kansas. The company’s first commercial project in Chillicothe was the old Ben Bolt Theater. John retired from Irvinbilt in 1977, but he continued to be involved with building projects in Chillicothe, Arrow Rock, and Canton.
He was an avid supporter of civic betterment and the fine arts. He was one of the founders of the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and the Chillicothe Rotary Foundation. He served on many boards in Chillicothe and throughout the state, including boards of the Friends of Arrow Rock, the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Culver Stockton College, the Missouri Council on the Arts, Missouri Mansion Preservation, Inc., and the Missouri Advisory Board on Historic Preservation.
Locally, John was a 93-year member of the First Christian Church where he served in many capacities, including as a Sunday school teacher and Elder. He was a member and leader in many organizations and served on the board of directors for Hope Haven Industries, the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chillicothe Rotary Club, and the Salvation Army. Additionally, he authored two books, “The Czech Escape” honoring two Chillicothe friends, Dr. George and Erika Mandler who came to Chillicothe as Holocaust survivors; and “Ed Lee” honoring the Chillicothe veterinarian who was a neighbor to the Irvins when John was growing up. Ed Lee’s land eventually became the building site for Hope Haven Industries.
John enjoyed get-togethers with family and friends, playing golf, and traveling. He and Virgie visited many countries and most of the United States. His life was a life well lived.
John Melvin Irvin
(July 11, 1911 - January 16, 2016)
A celebration of life service will be held for John Irvin at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the First Christian Church, 900 Jackson Street in Chillicothe. There was a cremation with burial in Edgewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and left at the church or mailed to Wright-Baker-Hill Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.
John Melvin Irvin was born in Chillicothe July 11, 1911, to Clifford and Maude (Jarrell) Irvin. He graduated in 1929 from Chillicothe High School and attended the University of Missouri – Columbia. On September 21, 1935, he married Virgie Kibler, who preceded him in death on April 9, 2010. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Mary Frances Petros of San Francisco, California; nephews, John Irvin of Glendale, California, and Jarrell Irvin of Mountain View, California; and nieces, Linda Menke of Tallahassee, Florida, Karen Reynolds of Shelbyville, Saundra Gray of Columbia, and Janet Petros of San Francisco, California. In addition to his wife, Virgie, John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, infant, Jarrell Irvin and Fred Irvin; and many dear friends.
For all but two of John’s 104 years, he lived in Chillicothe. As a little boy, he watched the sparks fly from the hooves of the horses pulling the fire wagons down Washington Street and well after his 100th birthday, he was still the go-to man for information on the history of all things Chillicothe.
John was a much-respected retired businessman and civic leader. He was the founder and president of Irvinbilt Company, a general contracting firm, and was president of Midwest Concrete and Asphalt Company. Both companies were located in Chillicothe. Irvinbilt was responsible for building several churches, schools and businesses in Chillicothe as well as in other towns in Missouri, Iowa and Kansas. The company’s first commercial project in Chillicothe was the old Ben Bolt Theater. John retired from Irvinbilt in 1977, but he continued to be involved with building projects in Chillicothe, Arrow Rock, and Canton.
He was an avid supporter of civic betterment and the fine arts. He was one of the founders of the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and the Chillicothe Rotary Foundation. He served on many boards in Chillicothe and throughout the state, including boards of the Friends of Arrow Rock, the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Culver Stockton College, the Missouri Council on the Arts, Missouri Mansion Preservation, Inc., and the Missouri Advisory Board on Historic Preservation.
Locally, John was a 93-year member of the First Christian Church where he served in many capacities, including as a Sunday school teacher and Elder. He was a member and leader in many organizations and served on the board of directors for Hope Haven Industries, the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chillicothe Rotary Club, and the Salvation Army. Additionally, he authored two books, “The Czech Escape” honoring two Chillicothe friends, Dr. George and Erika Mandler who came to Chillicothe as Holocaust survivors; and “Ed Lee” honoring the Chillicothe veterinarian who was a neighbor to the Irvins when John was growing up. Ed Lee’s land eventually became the building site for Hope Haven Industries.
John enjoyed get-togethers with family and friends, playing golf, and traveling. He and Virgie visited many countries and most of the United States. His life was a life well lived.
(July 11, 1911 - January 16, 2016)
A celebration of life service will be held for John Irvin at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 9, 2016, at the First Christian Church, 900 Jackson Street in Chillicothe. There was a cremation with burial in Edgewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and left at the church or mailed to Wright-Baker-Hill Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.
John Melvin Irvin was born in Chillicothe July 11, 1911, to Clifford and Maude (Jarrell) Irvin. He graduated in 1929 from Chillicothe High School and attended the University of Missouri – Columbia. On September 21, 1935, he married Virgie Kibler, who preceded him in death on April 9, 2010. Survivors include a sister-in-law, Mary Frances Petros of San Francisco, California; nephews, John Irvin of Glendale, California, and Jarrell Irvin of Mountain View, California; and nieces, Linda Menke of Tallahassee, Florida, Karen Reynolds of Shelbyville, Saundra Gray of Columbia, and Janet Petros of San Francisco, California. In addition to his wife, Virgie, John was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, infant, Jarrell Irvin and Fred Irvin; and many dear friends.
For all but two of John’s 104 years, he lived in Chillicothe. As a little boy, he watched the sparks fly from the hooves of the horses pulling the fire wagons down Washington Street and well after his 100th birthday, he was still the go-to man for information on the history of all things Chillicothe.
John was a much-respected retired businessman and civic leader. He was the founder and president of Irvinbilt Company, a general contracting firm, and was president of Midwest Concrete and Asphalt Company. Both companies were located in Chillicothe. Irvinbilt was responsible for building several churches, schools and businesses in Chillicothe as well as in other towns in Missouri, Iowa and Kansas. The company’s first commercial project in Chillicothe was the old Ben Bolt Theater. John retired from Irvinbilt in 1977, but he continued to be involved with building projects in Chillicothe, Arrow Rock, and Canton.
He was an avid supporter of civic betterment and the fine arts. He was one of the founders of the Chillicothe Area Arts Council and the Chillicothe Rotary Foundation. He served on many boards in Chillicothe and throughout the state, including boards of the Friends of Arrow Rock, the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, Culver Stockton College, the Missouri Council on the Arts, Missouri Mansion Preservation, Inc., and the Missouri Advisory Board on Historic Preservation.
Locally, John was a 93-year member of the First Christian Church where he served in many capacities, including as a Sunday school teacher and Elder. He was a member and leader in many organizations and served on the board of directors for Hope Haven Industries, the Chillicothe Area Chamber of Commerce, the Chillicothe Rotary Club, and the Salvation Army. Additionally, he authored two books, “The Czech Escape” honoring two Chillicothe friends, Dr. George and Erika Mandler who came to Chillicothe as Holocaust survivors; and “Ed Lee” honoring the Chillicothe veterinarian who was a neighbor to the Irvins when John was growing up. Ed Lee’s land eventually became the building site for Hope Haven Industries.
John enjoyed get-togethers with family and friends, playing golf, and traveling. He and Virgie visited many countries and most of the United States. His life was a life well lived.
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