Melvin Miller

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Mr. Melvin David Miller, 76, of Joplin, Missouri, departed this life on Monday evening, August 12, 2019, in the comfort of his home, with his loving family around him, after a recent battle with cancer.

Melvin entered this life on February 11, 1943, in Joplin, Missouri, son of the late Leroy “Buster” and Juanita (Smith) Miller. He was a lifelong area resident and a 1961 graduate of Joplin High School. In January of 1962 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He returned home to Joplin in 1966 after being honorably discharged.

On August 28, 1970, he was united in marriage to Diann Greninger and to this union four children were born. In 1975, he started his thirty-five year career with the United States Postal Service, retiring in 2011 as Postmaster of the Wentworth Post Office. Melvin was a member of Leawood Church of Christ in Joplin.

Melvin is survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Diann Miller, of the home; four children, Dr. Matthew Miller and wife, Melissa, of Racine, Missouri, Marshall Miller and wife, Agi, of Joplin, Dannielle Ayers, PhD(C) and husband, Lance, of Edmond, Oklahoma and Mahlon Miller and wife, Lydia, of Columbia, Missouri; seventeen grandchildren, Jacob, Alex, Haden, Aeryn, Dallas, Avery, Lindley, Kyson, Kennedy, Cannon, Luke, Ramsey, Mace, Westley, Ryker, Ava and Hannah; a sister, Sharon Steenrod of Seattle, Washington; a brother, Scott Miller, of Joplin; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other family and friends.

Funeral services with full military honors will be held graveside on Saturday morning, August 17, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Webb City with Ron Lankford officiating.

Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers are Matthew Miller, Marshall Miller, Mahlon Miller, Lance Ayers, Kyson Miller, Luke Miller and Jacob Miller. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin.

Memorials are being directed to the Wounded Warrior Project c/o the mortuary. Visit www.thornhilldillon.com for on-line condolences. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of the Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, Missouri.