Melvin Merle Herrington, 79, formerly of Albion
Melvin Merle Herrington was born on Dec. 13, 1940, in Robinson, and went to be with Jesus on Aug. 11. He was the son of Carl and Doris (Eaton) Herrington. He went to a small country elementary school and graduated from Albion High School in May 1959. When he went to a basketball game in Grayville in January 1957 with his good friend, Nolan Bradley, Mel saw who would become “The Love of His Life.” That night, he told Nolan he was going to marry “that” girl; and he did on June 14, 1959.
Mel is survived by his wife, Ada Frances (Stephens) Herrington; their two sons, Melvin Ray (Roxanne) Herrington and grandson, Gavin and Stephen Wayne (Joann) Herrington and grandson, Aaron, granddaughter, Danielle and great-grandson, Beau; sister-in-law, Edith Faye Whobrey and father figure to niece, Kimberly Sue Gallagher; sister-in-law, Mary Sue (Wayne, Sr.) Taylor and niece, Deborah Davidson and nephews, Wayne Taylor, Jr., Jesse Joe Stephens, John Stephens, Stanley Ray Stephens, Mark Stephens and several great-nieces and nephews and father figure for Tina Smith and DeAnn Seifried (daughters of long-time friends Don and Marie Seifried).
He was preceded in death by his parents Carl and Doris Herrington; his father- and mother-in-law, Jesse and Edna Stephens; three brothers-in-law, John William Stephens, Jesse Lamont Stephens and Stanley Randolph Stephens. Mel had no sisters nor brothers of his own and immediately claimed Fran’s family as his own.
Mel was a charter member of North Side Baptist Church in Grayville, where his family attended until moving to Ballwin, Mo. They joined Manchester Baptist Church where he served in several capacities such as Chairman of Deacons, worked with the Bus Ministry, assisted in the youth department and worked alongside of Pastor Owen Taylor in several different ministries including helping him start a new church (Sanctuary Fellowship) in Affton, Mo. He and Fran joined Calvary Fellowship Church in Fenton, Mo., in December 2008 where he served as a Deacon alongside Pastor Ken Simpson. Mel and Fran started the first Food Pantry there. Moving to Bland, Mo. in 2013 did not stop him from driving 1-1/2 hours each way to continue serving his church every Sunday. He was very dedicated in furthering Christian fellowship and had a profound spiritual impact on many.
Mel graduated from ITT Tech and opened his own TV repair shop in Winchester, Mo. Both of his sons were active in sports so “The TV Doctor” sponsored their baseball teams.
When Mel could no longer work, he devoted all his time and effort in ministering to people with spiritual needs. Mel was a loving, loyal, supportive husband, a dedicated father, an incredible “papaw” to all his grandchildren, a substitute father figure for many, a compassionate friend, a spiritual influence and a true and trusted friend to everyone he met and he was “Dad” to all the neighborhood kids.
The number of lives that Mel touched is countless and he will be sadly missed; but we can rejoice in knowing that he is with Jesus and looking down smiling at us right this minute.
Funeral was held at Calvary Fellowship Church, Fenton, Mo. He was laid to rest at Oak Grove Cemetery in Grayville. Link to view funeral service: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=298375744593770
