MC COSKEY, Melvin Robert - b. February 19, 1924

Melvin Robert McCoskey, surrounded by his loved ones went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, September 5, 2009. He was born February 19, 1924 to his parents, Sophia Jeanette Robert and Roy Marion McCoskey in Elk County, Kansas. He attended elementary schools in Elk and Greenwood counties and graduated from Severy High School with the class of '42. He served in General Patton's Army with the 6th Armored Division in Europe, fighting at th Battle of the Bulge.

On March 19, 1949, he married the love of his life, Eula Mae Young, and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 19, 2009. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved hunting, gadening, traveling, and just being a friend to others. He was a member of Jefferson Street Baptist Church in Eureka, Kansas. Melvin retired from Phillips Petroleum Company in 1985 after 30 years of service.

He is survived by his wife, Eula, of the home in Augusta, Kansas; four children, Vickiei Siemens (Harold) of Augusta, Kansas, Craig McCoskey (Brenda) of rural Augusta, Kansas, Linda Harrison (Gordon) of Annville, Pennsylvania, and Curtis McCoskey (Kristen) of Wichita, Kansas; four sisters, Mildred Johnson of Wichita, Kansas, Nadine Cranmer (Roy) of Wauconda, Illinois, Thelma Allen (Harold) of Wichita, Kansas, and Cora Sumner of Independence, Kansas; one brother, John McCoskey (Karen) of Sedgwick, Kansas; and numerous grandchidlren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant son, Dale Lee; and brothers, Harold, Roy Merle, and Harry.

Viewing will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2009 with family to greet friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Headley Funeral Chapel in Augusta, Kansas. Service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at First Baptist Church, Augusta, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Glencoe/Little Walnut Baptist Cemetery, rural Beaumont, Kansas. Memorials to the First Baptist Church, Augusta, Kansas or Jefferson Street Baptist Church, Eureka, Kansas.

(published in the Wichita Eagle 9/7/2009)