Melvin Barnes

Melvin Earl Barnes, 81 of St. Peters, MO, formerly of Clarksville, MO, passed away Monday August 13, 2012. Visitation will be held Monday August 20 at Collier Funeral Home, Louisiana, MO from 4-8pm. Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday August 21 at Collier Funeral Home with Rev. Mark Mehlig of Mid Rivers Calvary Church in St. Peters, MO officiating assisted by Rev Randall Cone of Louisiana, MO. Burial and graveside services will follow at 2:30pm at the Montgomery City Cemetery, Montgomery City, MO. Melvin was born July 9, 1931 to Fred McKinley Barnes and Pinky Mildred Atterberry Barnes in a log cabin in Audrian County, MO. After being raised on a farm in Montgomery City and graduating from Montgomery City School system, Melvin earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the University of Missouri Columbia and began his career as a teacher in August 1949. He began his fifty-seven year teaching career in a one-room schoolhouse near Herman, MO. He later moved on to teach in Montgomery City, Bellflower, New Florence, Jonesburg, Louisiana, and Clarksville MO. Most recently he taught continuing education classes and children's art camp at St. Charles Community College as well as gave private art lessons. Melvin married Joann Adams of Delaware in 1963 in Montgomery City, MO. He is survived by his wife Joann, daughter Melfreya Findley, and husband Thomas, and granddaughter Kira Lynn of O'Fallon, MO; two nieces: Linda Smith and husband Sam, and their two daughters Laura and Rachel all of Irvington IL; Lisa Knipfel and husband Kevin, and their children Ryan and Kayla all of Jonesburg, MO; first cousins Ruth Penn and Ralph Atterberry both of Montgomery City, MO. He was proceeded in death by his mother, father, brother Marvin and his wife Jeanette. Melvin was well known for his artistic abilities and has painted many murals for theatrical productions in Clarksville, Louisiana, St. Louis, and for the Clarksville River Museum. Melvin served several years as President of the Missouri Art Teachers Association and Executive Secretary of the National Art Teachers Association. He previously served as an elder and a deacon at both the Louisiana Christian Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Louisiana, MO. He and Joann attend Mid Rivers Calvary Church in St. Peters MO and are members of the small church group “Care Group” which is a prayer and social group. They are also members of the the St. Charles Pachyderm Club. Melvin lived life to the fullest by teaching and helping students, spending time with his wife, daughter, and especially his beloved granddaughter, Kira and he loved antiquing with his friends. Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association or Mid Rivers Calvary Church 50th anniversary fund.

Melvin Barnes

July 9, 1931 - August 13, 2012