The Lord called Melvin Manuel Roland Zumwalt home on May 16, 2018 at age 97. As Melvin’s favorite hymn states, “Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done, And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.”
Melvin was born on December 3, 1920 in Joplin to Kit Carson Zumwalt and Eleonora Louise Maria (Wortman) Zumwalt. Melvin lived in Joplin most of his life. He graduated from Joplin High School in 1939. He worked as a delivery boy at Parkway Pharmacy in Joplin while in school. He later worked at Junge Bakery Company as a maintenance man. Around 1950, he started working for the Joplin Water Company and retired from there in 1976. He liked to brag that he was retired from the Water Company longer than he was employed there.
While working at Junge Bakery, Melvin met the love of his life, Mable Louise Barcom. They were married on April 25, 1942 after only three dates. Melvin and Mable had two sons, Jack Melvin Zumwalt, born in 1945, and Bill Edward Zumwalt, born in 1947. Melvin and Mable were very active in the Joplin Senior Center. They help coordinate dances, pool tournaments and other activities. Melvin won quite a few of those pool tournaments and was a fiercely competitive domino player. Melvin oversaw the Meals on Wheels program out of the Joplin Senior Center for many years. The city of Joplin proclaimed April 3, 2006 “Melvin Zumwalt Day” in honor of all his volunteer work in the community.
Melvin was heartbroken when Mable passed away in Joplin on May 14, 1997 after years of ill health. He stayed active at the Senior Center. Even at the age of 96, he brought beverages at lunchtime to the tables of those who were disabled. He was President of the Joplin Senior Center Council at the time he fell ill last year.
He met Elizabeth Ann Poe at the Senior Center. He and Ann traveled to China to visit his son, Jack and while there Melvin proposed marriage to Ann on the Great Wall of China. They were married on February 14, 1999. Melvin and Ann kept busy with Senior Center activities, visiting family and even taking a cruise to Alaska with Jack and Bill. Ann passed away on September 8, 2013.
Melvin accepted Christ as his Savior at a young age. He was active in church. He was a charter member of Central Assembly of God in Joplin and attended there for many years. He and Ann later attended Southside Apostolic Faith Church in Joplin. Even in his 90s, he would help teach young children who had just become Christians. His faith in Jesus was most important to him and he instilled this faith in all his children and grandchildren.
Melvin was preceded in death by two infant brothers, Darson in 1918 and Carson Jr. in 1920, his parents Carson and Eleonora, brothers Elson Zumwalt in 1986, Beauford Zumwalt in 2011, a stepdaughter, Andrea Grissom in 2011 and a daughter-in-law Sharon Rose (Dobbins) Zumwalt in February 1998.
Melvin is survived by his two sons: Jack Zumwalt and his wife Mary, and Bill Zumwalt and his wife Lynne. Stepson: Alan Poe and his wife Linda. Six grandchildren: Cindee Mulik and husband Paul, Jim Zumwalt and wife Tammy, Becki Womble and husband Rick, Robin Zumwalt, Julie Barker and husband Mark and Libby Zumwalt-Grijalva. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, eleven step-great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Friday, May 18 at 6:00pm at Southside Apostolic Church 4430 S Main, Joplin, Mo. Celebration of Life will be Saturday, May 19 at 10:00am also at Southside Apostolic Church. Pallbearers will be Jim Zumwalt, Paul Mulik, Lealan Womble, Cason Womble, Jay Grijalva and Wade Barker. Reverend Paul Dilts and Reverend Brian Moser will officiate. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Parker Mortuary.
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