Obituary for Melvin Johns

Melvin Leroy Johns of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Wednesday morning, April 1, 2015, at his home in Blackwell at the age of 68 years.

Melvin Leroy Johns was born on July 2, 1946, in Blackwell to John Jefferson and Lorene Mabel (Duvalt) Johns. He grew up in Blackwell attending Blackwell Public Schools and graduated from Blackwell High School in 1964. While in school and following his education he continued working for the Acme Foundry and on October 9, 1964, he married Ellen Louise Rohrs in Blackwell. While working at the foundry, he also worked for Al’s T.V. and Larabee’s Service Station in Blackwell. In 1974 he began working for Koch Oil Company as a pumper. In 1984 they moved to Morland, Kansas, where he continued working for Koch Oil. Following his retirement in 1998, they returned to Blackwell to make their home. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Blackwell and the New Beginnings Church. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, playing dominos and practical jokes. He loved all his family and had a special fondness for his dogs, Maggie and Roxie.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen Johns of Blackwell; two daughters, Carol Crocker and husband Cleat of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Louise Strutt and husband Kirby of Morland, Kansas; a sister, Sandy Clark and husband Russell of Springfield, Missouri; a brother, Raymond Johns and wife Fay of Blackwell; five grandchildren, Tyrel Strutt of Wakenny, Kansas, Samantha Dalanno and husband Adam of Salina, Kansas, Cassie Strong and husband Lt. Malcolm of Clovis, New Mexico, Cleat Crocker Jr. of Castle Rock, Colorado, and Jessica Strutt of Wakenny, Kansas; and two great grandchildren, Landon Lee Strutt of Wakenny, Kansas, and Skylar Way Strong of Clovis, New Mexico.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Lee Johns; a sister, Helen Johns; and a brother, Bob Johns.

Services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 4th in the Roberts and Son Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with Rev. Bill Burrows of New Beginnings Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Brandon Sneath, Dan Emery, David Johns, Loren Johns, Clay Johns and Jay Johns. Serving as honorary casketbearers will be David Miller and Max Suggs.

A memorial has been established in his honor with the New Beginnings Building Fund in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.