SFC (Ret) Melvin Garrett Ellinger

May 2, 1941 - May 7, 2017

SFC (Ret) Melvin Garrett Ellinger, son of George Leonard and Edith (Ely) Ellinger, was born May 2, 1941, in Richmond, VA. He departed this life Sunday, May 7, 2017, in Center Point Medical Center, in Independence, Missouri, at the age of seventy-six years and five days. On October 4, 1964, he was united in marriage to Arome Chauenwat, in Korat, Thailand, and to this union two sons were born. Melvin is survived by his wife, Arome of the home; his sons, Navin Ellinger (Laurena) of Buckner, Missouri, and Jason Ellinger of Camdenton, Missouri; one granddaughter, Maleena Ellinger; as well as a host of other relatives and friends. He grew up in the Newport News, VA area and graduated high school there. Melvin served his country faithfully in the United States Army from June of 1960 to June of 1980, when he was Honorably Discharged. He had attended Drury and Columbia College, and graduated from Columbia College in 1995. He taught Vo-Tech for several years and later was a mechanic-welder for the Army and then became a contractor until 2002. He had also worked seven years as a manager in California at the National Training Center. Melvin was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. We celebrate his life and his accomplishments and will treasure the memories he created for his family and friends. He will fondly remembered by his family and all those that knew and loved him. Graveside services with military honors were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 11, 2017 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery of Waynesville. Military honors were provided by the United States Army of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Services were under the direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.