Melvin Ray Forrester

Melvin Ray (John) Forrester

Melvin Ray (John) Forrester, 91, of Independence, MO and formerly of Kirksville, MO passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Kansas City Hospice House.

Melvin was born in Milan, MO on May 20, 1921 to Thomas and Gertie Mae (Green) Forrester, the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Milan High School in 1938 and attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman University) on a football scholarship. In 1942, he joined the United States Marine Corps and spent the next two years in New Zealand, Bougainville and Guam as a demolition specialist.  He was wounded on Guam by a hand grenade and spent eight months hospitalized in the New Hebrides Islands, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. After returning home, Melvin married Mary Jane Warden April 1, 1945 and they recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. He continued his studies, graduating from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College in 1947. He taught two years at Bethany, MO and obtained his Masters Degree from the University of Missouri – Columbia. He spent 22 years at Novinger, MO schools teaching PE, Health, Geography, Drivers Education as well as coaching basketball, softball, and baseball. During the summer months he managed the Kirksville Swimming Pool for 22 years. He was a member of the Noland Road Baptist Church. Melvin enjoyed traveling, fishing, and sports and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. One of his favorite memories was a trip to Washington D.C. in 2011 with his two sons, visiting the World War II Memorial and other historical sights.

His parents, three brothers, and three sisters preceded him in death.

Melvin Forrester is survived by his wife, Mary Jane of Independence; his sons, Dana and wife Judy, Independence, MO; Don, St. Louis, MO; three grandchildren, Adam Forrester, Kansas City, MO; Allison Howell and husband, Brett, Independence, MO; and April Forrester, St. Louis, MO; and one great-grandson, Paxton Howell.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday (April 24, 2013) at Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home. Burial with military rites   will be in Maple Hills Cemetery.

Visitation with the family will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home

2100 E. Shepherd Ave.

Kirksville, MO 63501 660-665-2233

Memorial donations may be made to Kansas City Hospice House.