John Melvin Coffman

JJohn Melvin Coffman was born Feb. 6, 1915, at home in Mountain Grove, Mo. He was the third child of James and Minnie Coffman. Melvin was united in marriage to Pearl Ellan Moseley, Feb. 21, 1938. To this union six children were born, who all survive: James Buckie and wife Wilma, Betty Lou and husband Ronald Dickerson, June Ellen and husband A.F. Yarick, Daniel Ray and wife Kathy, John Paul, and Judy Ann and husband Dale Fischer; along with 13 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great- grandchildren.

Melvin was proceeded in death by his wife Pearl, his parents James and Minnie Coffman; three brothers, Lester, Olen and Arvin; two sisters, Doris and an infant sister; one grandson, Mark Coffman, and one great-granddaughter, Kayla Ann.

Melvin served on the school board for many years at Norwood. He was ordained as a deacon at the Norwood Baptist Church, in 1951. He worked at the milk plan in Mountain Grove. He was a farmer all his life. He moved to Papinville in 1958, where he remained on the farm until his death.

He was an active member and deacon at the First Baptist Church in Rich Hill. God sustained him through numerous accidents, because of his faith in God, he always had a positive attitude and everyday was a good day.

Dad always spoke his mind and if you didn't like what he said you had the same clothes to get glad in. If you asked Dad how he was, he would say, "mean and ugly" so we knew he was OK. One of Dad's favorite sayings was, "it will feel better when it quits hurting." After Dad retired he enjoyed driving his little white truck around, keeping track of what was going on in the community and the fields.

He lived a happy and full life. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.