Arnold “Mel” Melvin McHargue, 70, 2000 Westgate Ave., Apt. 206, died Thursday, June 29, 2000. Having lived most of his life in Marshall County, coming from Parke County, Mel died at 8:40 p.m. following an extended illness, in St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, Plymouth.
Born in Rosedale, Indiana, on July 10, 1929, he was the son of Yancy Harley and Eva Lamoine Stalker McHargue. He attended Plymouth High School.
On April 17, 1949, in Plymouth at the First Assembly of God, Mel and Margaurite “Maggie” L. Gaines were married.
For 36 years, Mel was with the Teamsters Local #364, South Bend. He drove truck for C&E Trucking. The last 10 years he worked the Indiana, Michigan and Illinois region and retired in 1986.
For many years he drove a Jesse Program van for Marshall and Starke Counties.
A big sports fan, he loved watching the Chicago Cubs and NASCAR and Indy car racing. Enjoyed cards and board games with his family.
He was associated with the First Church of the Nazarene, Mel was a man with a big heart; he never turned a person away. He was a loyal friend and a loving father. His devotion was returned a hundredfold by his family and friends.
He is survived by his loving wife, Maggie and their children: three sons and four daughters. The sons are: John Daniel “Tiny” and Myra McHargue and Charles Melvin McHargue, all of Plymouth and Arnold “Bud” L. and Dawn McHargue, Sadieville, Ky. His daughters are Ruth Ann McHargue and her fiancé, Ed Clemons, Nancy Lynn and Kevin Ames, Dawn Marie and John Sellers, Tina Louise and Don Bunton, all of Plymouth.
Eighteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren also survive together with a brother, Charles McHargue, Plymouth, and two sisters, Mildred Balding, Tyner and Marjorie Yeargin, Plymouth. Several nieces and nephews survive as well.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may visit with Mel’s family on Sunday, July 2, 2000, from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth.
Funeral services conducted by the Rev. Glenn Mitchell will be in the funeral home on Monday, July 3 at 10:30 a.m.
Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in Mel’s memory may be made to the Cerebral Palsy Association and the American Cancer Association.