Melvin B. Harvell

Melvin B. Harvell, age 79 of Jonesboro, died at 1:03 a.m. on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born March 31, 1942, the son of Thomas N. Harvell and Pearl Jane (Bridges) Harvell. He married Clara F. (Morgan) Harvell on July 21, 1962. He served his country in the United States Navy and served on the USS Protector and later served in the Cuban Crisis on the USS DuPont. He was a long-time iron worker and retired from Local #782. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and a member of the first Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Melvin enjoyed frequenting auctions and yard sales and loved finding "special treasures" for his family that he so dearly loved and cared for. He enjoyed camping, fishing, and collecting everything. He loved a good Igloo cooler, and you would rarely find him without a fully stocked one so he could share his drinks and snacks. He never met a stranger and was a positive light everywhere he went. He truly enjoyed life to its fullest. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Clara Harvell of Jonesboro; son, Tony Harvell of Jonesboro; daughters, Karen Rhine Harvell of Anna, Stacey (Eric) Chilman of Jonesboro, Janice (Eric) Osman of Anna, grandchildren, Chey (Joseph) Harvell-Giles, Cory (Alex) Heembrock, Evan Chilman, Dylan Chilman, Addison Osman, and Avery Osman; great-grandchildren, Ardea Rhine and Maverick Heembrock; two sisters, Wilma Hoyle and Kim Harvell Guetersloh; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Dale and Norman Harvell; granddaughter, Manda K. Rhine; mother-in-law, Lorene Morgan. Memorial services will be held on Monday, June 14, 2021 at the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Doors will open at 4:00p.m. with the service to follow at 4:30 p.m. Military rites will be conducted by the Carroll P. Foster Post #3455 of the V.F.W. in Anna. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the church and the Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home. Visitation Service Monday, June 14, 2021,4:00PM-4:30PM First Baptist Church in Jonesboro 201 West Walnut Street Jonesboro, Illinois 62952 Memorial/Funeral Service Monday, June 14, 2021,4:30PM First Baptist Church in Jonesboro 201 West Walnut Street Jonesboro, Illinois 62952