Melvin Williams

Melvin "Churn" Williams of Bloomfield, son of the late Frank and Leecy Bolin Williams, was born Sept. 16, 1922 and died Jan. 6, 2002, at the age of 79. He was united in marriage to Deane Clark on July 4, 1942, she survives of the home in Bloomfield. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son and granddaughter, Jack and Michele Williams in 1974; by eight brothers and one sister. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Deane Williams; two daughters, Jayme Stewart and Judi Davis of Winston, Ga.; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Williams of Jefferson City; grandchildren, Michael Williams of Lake St. Louis, Mo., Scot Williams, Kim Williams and Sandi Williams of Jefferson City, David and Jayna Christopher of Thompson Station, Tenn., Jack Stewart and Jason Davis of Winston, Ga., Darryl and Jenifer Moser of Washington, Mo. and Jeremy Howser of St. Paul, Minn.; three great-granddaughters, Rachel Williams, Sara Williams and Rebekah Christopher.

Churn lived in Bloomfield all his life, graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1942, had his own business for several years and served as Juvenile Officer for 16 years. He was a long-standing member of the First Baptist Church of Bloomfield. Throughout his life he was very active serving his community. He was instrumental in establishing the Stoddard County Children's Home and the Juvenile Detention Center located in Bloomfield. He served on the board of directors for the Stoddard County Children's Home, Children's Place in Malden, Crowley Ridge Country Club, and the Southeast Missouri Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame, where he was also a member. Churn also served on the Bloomfield City Council for several years. He loved golf and all sports and refereed basketball and football for many years.

Visitation was held at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield after 12 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2001. Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. in the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Chapel with Mike Watkins officiating, assisted by Ron Dunivan, both pastors of Bloomfield churches. Interment followed in the Bloomfield Cemetery with Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home of Bloomfield in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stoddard County Children's Home, Stars & Stripes Museum or a charity of your choice. PAID