GRANITEVILLE - Mr. Melzer O. Faulkner, Jr., age 89 , of Graniteville, S.C., loving husband for 66 years to Doris Booth Faulkner, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, May 19, 2012. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Becky (Morris) Penley of Lake Murray ; sons, Danny Faulkner of Aiken and Melzer (Beth) Faulkner of Graniteville; sisters, Grace (Leon) Hayes of Aiken, Roberta (James) Spell of Ballentine, S.C. ; grandchildren, Angie (Kenny) Rye, Susan Penley, Nick Faulkner, Brooke Faulkner and Josh Faulkner and six great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Sara Pat Bell; brothers, Gary Faulkner and Gene W. Faulkner, Sr. He was born in Graniteville and was a lifelong resident of Aiken County, S.C. He was a member of St. John United Methodist Church in Graniteville and also a member of the Methodist Men. He was a member of the Graniteville Leisure Club. He was a US Army Veteran, having bravely served his country during World War II; and he also retired in 1965 from the National Guard with 20 years of service. He was a member and Past Commander of the American Legion Post 77 in Warrenville and a member of Lake Murray VFW Post 6740. He retired from Graniteville Company as a Maintenance Superintendent after 45 years of dedicated service. He was a loving husband, father, brother and grandfather; plus, Melzer, with his pleasant smile and great sense of humor, was a friend to all. He was a very special friend to Sammie and Glenda Napier, to whom he was so fondly known as "PA'. Yes, he will be greatly missed by his family, many friends and all whose lives he touched during the 89 precious years that God granted him on this earth; however, Earth's loss is truly Heaven's gain, and Melzer surely will live on forever in everyone's hearts. Melzer loved to hum, and most likely, he is now humming a tune with the Angels in his new Heavenly home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday evening, May 21st from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A service celebrating his life will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 11:00 AM at St. John United Methodist Church in Graniteville with Rev. Alan Quarles officiating. The interment, with full military honors, will follow at the Graniteville Cemetery. Memorials, in Melzer's honor, may be made to St. John United Methodist Church, P. O. Box 38, Graniteville, S.C. 29829. Napier Funeral Home, Inc., 315 Main St., Graniteville, S.C. 29829 is in charge of the funeral arrangements. You can visit the online guest register at www.napierfuneralhomeinc.com.

PUBLISHED IN THE STATE ON MAY 20, 2012