Melvin Washington Childers peacefully entered into eternal life on Jan. 25, 2016.
He was born Dec. 2, 1929 to Ora and Lonny Childers in Somerset, Kentucky, where he was raised with his siblings, Reva, Wendall, Billy, Gloria, Iwana, Frances and Suzy.
Mel is survived by his lovely wife, Valjean Childers. They met at Berea College in Kentucky.
Mel was an honorary Kentucky Colonel.
Mel and Val own Mel’s Drive Inn and The Chaparral convenience store and he was also the last milk delivery man in his time.
Mel leaves behind his wife, Val; children, Helen Byrd Hillman (Al), Lisa Langhammer (David) and Mark Childers (Shelly); 11 grandchildren. Elena Hausman (Jay), Paul Gough (Valerie), Carmen Quirk (Cody), Harry Hillman (Hannah), Nancy Hillman, Alyssa Goldkuhl (Travis), Kathleen Bonasera (Ernest), Melissa Harris (Jonathan), Amanda Alvarado, Susan McCloskey, Sara Sexson (Cody); and 13 great-grandchildren. Gage Valentine, Marissa Valentine, Talin Goldkuhl, Caleb Bonasera, Zachary Gough, Keira Goldkuhl, Mason Bonasera, Austin Gough, Elise Bonasera, Brice Diederich, Harry Hillman VI, James Quirk, Paige Sexson.