Melvin Smith

TAMMS, Ill. -- Melvin Smith, 83, of Tamms died Sunday, June 28, 2015, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 31, 1932, in Tamms, son of Robert and Vinna Whitaker Smith Sr. He married Dorothy Newell on June 14, 1952. She preceded him in death July 31, 2012.

Melvin was a veteran of the United States Air Force and served during the Korean War.

He had worked in construction with Labor Local 773. He was an avid fisherman and liked to hunt. He was a retired McDonald's loafer.

Survivors include a son, Kenny (Gail) Smith of Tamms; a daughter, Glenda (Mike) Hamilton of Henderson, Kentucky; a sister, Irene Pettit of Villa Ridge, Illinois; nieces; nephews; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; parents; four brothers, Ed, George, Ralph and Robert Smith Jr.; and a sister, Maxine Holscher.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Crain Funeral Home in Tamms.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Buddy Walls officiating. Interment will be in St. John's Cemetery with military honors by area veterans and Illinois National Guard.

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