Melvin was born the son of Lee Rhoades Day and Vila I. Long in Shelbina of Shelby County MO.
Mel and his younger sister Carol lived with Vila and Lee in Shelbina MO during their youngest years. Lee was involved in a serious roll-over auto accident around 1940. Lee had severe head injuries which were potentially life-ending. He eventually recovered after surgery. Vila's parents paid for the medical bills, as Lee had no insurance. Though his life was saved, his personality changed. He became belligerent and threatening toward his family. At the counsel of the attending doctor Vila sought for a divorce from Lee for the safety of herself and the children.
Vila remarried to a previous sweetheart, Freddie L. Richards, also of Shelbina, in 1946. They lived briefly in Shelbina before moving to Pittsfield IL where Freddie worked as a teamster for the Mid-states Freight System. Our Dad bought a mobile home for the 5 of us to live in. We occupied a space in the Brown Trailer Court on the far eastern edge of Pittsfield. The court lay on the south side of route 36 which ran east-west through the middle of town. The mobile home was small...perhaps 27 feet long and 8 feet wide.
Mel attended Pittsfield IL schools most of his learning years. He was industrious with his summers and after school time. He earned money working for farmers, as well as mowing the large, northern portion of the old Pittsfield West Cemetery. He worked for a time at Ralph's Roller Rink, and at the local IGA Foodliner some evenings and week-ends. I fondly remember him bringing home six-bottle cartons of Pepsi for us to drink with the popcorn Mom had prepared for us to eat while watching television together on Saturday nights. [Gunsmoke was a favorite]. It was memorable family time.
He and his sister Carol were active in social life as high-schoolers. It has always been a special memory for Carol that Mel was instrumental in matching her and Gary Kasson . Carol and Gary eventually married, and have had 60+ years of wonderful marriage as a result!
I vividly remember a Sunday evening in 1955 when our mother, sister Carol, and Mel were baptized in water at the Calvary Baptist Church in Pittsfield IL. They had answered the gospel call to confess their sins, repent, and be baptized. Years later Mel and wife Verna worshiped at the Hindsboro IL Christian Church, and later at a church in Westfield IN in his final years.
Mel enlisted and served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy after high school.
Mel met and married Verna LeBlanc at Avery Island LA on June 10 of 1961 while stationed in Louisiana. He eventually had duty on an aircraft carrier in Alameda CA. Our family visited he, Verna, and baby Donna in Alameda CA in the summer of 1963. They returned to live in Louisiana briefly.
Mel eventually moved his family from Louisiana to Tuscola IL in 1965 where his parents lived. I remember the joy of working with my "big" brother for the B & O Railroad during the summer of 1965. We cared for the track within the large alcohol-producing complex west of Tuscola. He then found a better job at Allison's Radio and Television Sales and Service. By this time, baby Kenny had come along.
Mel eventually was hired at the large chemical producing complex [mentioned above] to the west of Tuscola IL. He worked there for, I believe, 30+ years until his retirement. He and Verna purchased a home in an eastern housing subdivision of Tuscola called Meadowview and lived there for over 30 years.
During his last working years he and Verna bought a country home a few miles northeast of rural Hindsboro IL. They had a few acres there which afforded them a spacious yard and large vegetable garden. They lived there for several years, until such time they sold out and moved to Westfield IN [on the north side of Indianapolis] to be near their son Kenny and his family.
Children:
1. Donna Maria
2. Kenneth Jonas
LINEAGE:
Lee Rhoades Day [1918] MO
William Eliphet Day [1894] MO
James Edgar Day [1852] MO
William G. Day [1825] VA
Mel and his younger sister Carol lived with Vila and Lee in Shelbina MO during their youngest years. Lee was involved in a serious roll-over auto accident around 1940. Lee had severe head injuries which were potentially life-ending. He eventually recovered after surgery. Vila's parents paid for the medical bills, as Lee had no insurance. Though his life was saved, his personality changed. He became belligerent and threatening toward his family. At the counsel of the attending doctor Vila sought for a divorce from Lee for the safety of herself and the children.
Vila remarried to a previous sweetheart, Freddie L. Richards, also of Shelbina, in 1946. They lived briefly in Shelbina before moving to Pittsfield IL where Freddie worked as a teamster for the Mid-states Freight System. Our Dad bought a mobile home for the 5 of us to live in. We occupied a space in the Brown Trailer Court on the far eastern edge of Pittsfield. The court lay on the south side of route 36 which ran east-west through the middle of town. The mobile home was small...perhaps 27 feet long and 8 feet wide.
Mel attended Pittsfield IL schools most of his learning years. He was industrious with his summers and after school time. He earned money working for farmers, as well as mowing the large, northern portion of the old Pittsfield West Cemetery. He worked for a time at Ralph's Roller Rink, and at the local IGA Foodliner some evenings and week-ends. I fondly remember him bringing home six-bottle cartons of Pepsi for us to drink with the popcorn Mom had prepared for us to eat while watching television together on Saturday nights. [Gunsmoke was a favorite]. It was memorable family time.
He and his sister Carol were active in social life as high-schoolers. It has always been a special memory for Carol that Mel was instrumental in matching her and Gary Kasson . Carol and Gary eventually married, and have had 60+ years of wonderful marriage as a result!
I vividly remember a Sunday evening in 1955 when our mother, sister Carol, and Mel were baptized in water at the Calvary Baptist Church in Pittsfield IL. They had answered the gospel call to confess their sins, repent, and be baptized. Years later Mel and wife Verna worshiped at the Hindsboro IL Christian Church, and later at a church in Westfield IN in his final years.
Mel enlisted and served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy after high school.
Mel met and married Verna LeBlanc at Avery Island LA on June 10 of 1961 while stationed in Louisiana. He eventually had duty on an aircraft carrier in Alameda CA. Our family visited he, Verna, and baby Donna in Alameda CA in the summer of 1963. They returned to live in Louisiana briefly.
Mel eventually moved his family from Louisiana to Tuscola IL in 1965 where his parents lived. I remember the joy of working with my "big" brother for the B & O Railroad during the summer of 1965. We cared for the track within the large alcohol-producing complex west of Tuscola. He then found a better job at Allison's Radio and Television Sales and Service. By this time, baby Kenny had come along.
Mel eventually was hired at the large chemical producing complex [mentioned above] to the west of Tuscola IL. He worked there for, I believe, 30+ years until his retirement. He and Verna purchased a home in an eastern housing subdivision of Tuscola called Meadowview and lived there for over 30 years.
During his last working years he and Verna bought a country home a few miles northeast of rural Hindsboro IL. They had a few acres there which afforded them a spacious yard and large vegetable garden. They lived there for several years, until such time they sold out and moved to Westfield IN [on the north side of Indianapolis] to be near their son Kenny and his family.
Children:
1. Donna Maria
2. Kenneth Jonas
LINEAGE:
Lee Rhoades Day [1918] MO
William Eliphet Day [1894] MO
James Edgar Day [1852] MO
William G. Day [1825] VA
Melvin was born the son of Lee Rhoades Day and Vila I. Long in Shelbina of Shelby County MO.
Mel and his younger sister Carol lived with Vila and Lee in Shelbina MO during their youngest years. Lee was involved in a serious roll-over auto accident around 1940. Lee had severe head injuries which were potentially life-ending. He eventually recovered after surgery. Vila's parents paid for the medical bills, as Lee had no insurance. Though his life was saved, his personality changed. He became belligerent and threatening toward his family. At the counsel of the attending doctor Vila sought for a divorce from Lee for the safety of herself and the children.
Vila remarried to a previous sweetheart, Freddie L. Richards, also of Shelbina, in 1946. They lived briefly in Shelbina before moving to Pittsfield IL where Freddie worked as a teamster for the Mid-states Freight System. Our Dad bought a mobile home for the 5 of us to live in. We occupied a space in the Brown Trailer Court on the far eastern edge of Pittsfield. The court lay on the south side of route 36 which ran east-west through the middle of town. The mobile home was small...perhaps 27 feet long and 8 feet wide.
Mel attended Pittsfield IL schools most of his learning years. He was industrious with his summers and after school time. He earned money working for farmers, as well as mowing the large, northern portion of the old Pittsfield West Cemetery. He worked for a time at Ralph's Roller Rink, and at the local IGA Foodliner some evenings and week-ends. I fondly remember him bringing home six-bottle cartons of Pepsi for us to drink with the popcorn Mom had prepared for us to eat while watching television together on Saturday nights. [Gunsmoke was a favorite]. It was memorable family time.
He and his sister Carol were active in social life as high-schoolers. It has always been a special memory for Carol that Mel was instrumental in matching her and Gary Kasson . Carol and Gary eventually married, and have had 60+ years of wonderful marriage as a result!
I vividly remember a Sunday evening in 1955 when our mother, sister Carol, and Mel were baptized in water at the Calvary Baptist Church in Pittsfield IL. They had answered the gospel call to confess their sins, repent, and be baptized. Years later Mel and wife Verna worshiped at the Hindsboro IL Christian Church, and later at a church in Westfield IN in his final years.
Mel enlisted and served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy after high school.
Mel met and married Verna LeBlanc at Avery Island LA on June 10 of 1961 while stationed in Louisiana. He eventually had duty on an aircraft carrier in Alameda CA. Our family visited he, Verna, and baby Donna in Alameda CA in the summer of 1963. They returned to live in Louisiana briefly.
Mel eventually moved his family from Louisiana to Tuscola IL in 1965 where his parents lived. I remember the joy of working with my "big" brother for the B & O Railroad during the summer of 1965. We cared for the track within the large alcohol-producing complex west of Tuscola. He then found a better job at Allison's Radio and Television Sales and Service. By this time, baby Kenny had come along.
Mel eventually was hired at the large chemical producing complex [mentioned above] to the west of Tuscola IL. He worked there for, I believe, 30+ years until his retirement. He and Verna purchased a home in an eastern housing subdivision of Tuscola called Meadowview and lived there for over 30 years.
During his last working years he and Verna bought a country home a few miles northeast of rural Hindsboro IL. They had a few acres there which afforded them a spacious yard and large vegetable garden. They lived there for several years, until such time they sold out and moved to Westfield IN [on the north side of Indianapolis] to be near their son Kenny and his family.
Children:
1. Donna Maria
2. Kenneth Jonas
LINEAGE:
Lee Rhoades Day [1918] MO
William Eliphet Day [1894] MO
James Edgar Day [1852] MO
William G. Day [1825] VA
Mel and his younger sister Carol lived with Vila and Lee in Shelbina MO during their youngest years. Lee was involved in a serious roll-over auto accident around 1940. Lee had severe head injuries which were potentially life-ending. He eventually recovered after surgery. Vila's parents paid for the medical bills, as Lee had no insurance. Though his life was saved, his personality changed. He became belligerent and threatening toward his family. At the counsel of the attending doctor Vila sought for a divorce from Lee for the safety of herself and the children.
Vila remarried to a previous sweetheart, Freddie L. Richards, also of Shelbina, in 1946. They lived briefly in Shelbina before moving to Pittsfield IL where Freddie worked as a teamster for the Mid-states Freight System. Our Dad bought a mobile home for the 5 of us to live in. We occupied a space in the Brown Trailer Court on the far eastern edge of Pittsfield. The court lay on the south side of route 36 which ran east-west through the middle of town. The mobile home was small...perhaps 27 feet long and 8 feet wide.
Mel attended Pittsfield IL schools most of his learning years. He was industrious with his summers and after school time. He earned money working for farmers, as well as mowing the large, northern portion of the old Pittsfield West Cemetery. He worked for a time at Ralph's Roller Rink, and at the local IGA Foodliner some evenings and week-ends. I fondly remember him bringing home six-bottle cartons of Pepsi for us to drink with the popcorn Mom had prepared for us to eat while watching television together on Saturday nights. [Gunsmoke was a favorite]. It was memorable family time.
He and his sister Carol were active in social life as high-schoolers. It has always been a special memory for Carol that Mel was instrumental in matching her and Gary Kasson . Carol and Gary eventually married, and have had 60+ years of wonderful marriage as a result!
I vividly remember a Sunday evening in 1955 when our mother, sister Carol, and Mel were baptized in water at the Calvary Baptist Church in Pittsfield IL. They had answered the gospel call to confess their sins, repent, and be baptized. Years later Mel and wife Verna worshiped at the Hindsboro IL Christian Church, and later at a church in Westfield IN in his final years.
Mel enlisted and served in both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy after high school.
Mel met and married Verna LeBlanc at Avery Island LA on June 10 of 1961 while stationed in Louisiana. He eventually had duty on an aircraft carrier in Alameda CA. Our family visited he, Verna, and baby Donna in Alameda CA in the summer of 1963. They returned to live in Louisiana briefly.
Mel eventually moved his family from Louisiana to Tuscola IL in 1965 where his parents lived. I remember the joy of working with my "big" brother for the B & O Railroad during the summer of 1965. We cared for the track within the large alcohol-producing complex west of Tuscola. He then found a better job at Allison's Radio and Television Sales and Service. By this time, baby Kenny had come along.
Mel eventually was hired at the large chemical producing complex [mentioned above] to the west of Tuscola IL. He worked there for, I believe, 30+ years until his retirement. He and Verna purchased a home in an eastern housing subdivision of Tuscola called Meadowview and lived there for over 30 years.
During his last working years he and Verna bought a country home a few miles northeast of rural Hindsboro IL. They had a few acres there which afforded them a spacious yard and large vegetable garden. They lived there for several years, until such time they sold out and moved to Westfield IN [on the north side of Indianapolis] to be near their son Kenny and his family.
Children:
1. Donna Maria
2. Kenneth Jonas
LINEAGE:
Lee Rhoades Day [1918] MO
William Eliphet Day [1894] MO
James Edgar Day [1852] MO
William G. Day [1825] VA
Inscription
AN (AIRMAN)., US NAVY, VIETNAM
IN GOD'S HANDS IN OUR HEARTS
EMBLEM ON THE HEAD STONE IS THE CELTIC CROSS
Family Members
Half Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
