Melvin Gateley

R. Melvin Gateley, 91, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Monday, April 23, 2018, at Ratliff Care Center in Cape Girardeau, where he received loving care and resided for almost two years.

He was born Aug. 21, 1926, in Oran, Missouri, to the late Henry Milton and Katie Ursery Gateley. He and Ella Louise Sanders were married June 7, 1951, in Cape Girardeau; she survives.

He was raised on a farm in Oran with 10 other siblings with whom he shared many fond memories. After graduating from Oran High School, he was drafted into the Army Air Corps, eventually serving in the Pacific during World War II. On completion of his military service he enrolled in Southeast Missouri State University (then Southeast Missouri State Teachers College), where he received a bachelor's degree in education. He went on to receive both master's and specialist degrees in education.

Melvin's teaching profession spanned 37 years with the last 21 as principal of Louis J. Shultz Middle School in Cape Girardeau. His final year was the culmination of his career, when he also served as president of the Missouri State Teachers Association.

Melvin was very active in and dedicated to the community of Cape Girardeau, serving in many facets and on many committees, not the least of which were Vision 2000, Parks and Recreation Board, United Way and his eight-year term on the Cape Girardeau City Council. Melvin spent countless hours on the beautification of Cape Girardeau, planting tens of thousands of roses and jonquils.

After his profession of faith in the saving grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Sept. 3, 1939, Melvin spent his entire life worshipping, working for and witnessing to Christ's love, grace and almighty power. Melvin, himself an ordained minister and deacon, volunteered tirelessly in the Baptist Church and for the Missouri Baptist Historical Commission. Through his work and vision on the historical commission, he was the coordinator for the reconstruction project of the Old Bethel Church in Jackson, known as the first (non-Catholic) church planted west of the Mississippi River.

Survivors include his wife, Ella Gateley of Cape Girardeau; a son, Stephen (Melinda) Gateley of Nashville, Tennessee; a daughter Renauta (John) McNabb of Cape Girardeau; three grandchildren, Stuart Gateley, Andrew Gateley and Molly McNabb; as well as a sister, Ruth Hency, and her husband, Bill.

Melvin was preceded in death by both parents and nine siblings.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Pastor Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military rites.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Melvin Gateley's family would be pleased if memorial gifts would be made to either the Missouri State Teachers Foundation through mostf.org/gateleyfund/ or as a designated gift to The Old Bethel Church Fund through Lynwood Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.