James Dale Melroy

James Dale Melroy, 73, Ottawa, died Monday, June 4, 2007, at his home. He was born Dec. 26, 1933, at Ottawa, to Thomas M. and Iris I. (Slane) Melroy. He was a lifelong Ottawa resident. He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1951. He was a member of the United States Army from 1954 to 1955 in the 79th A.A.A. Battalion Gun and Guided Missiles. He achieved the rank of corporal. He was a member of Aerie Lodge No. 2700 Fraternal Order of Eagles, Ottawa. He worked as a professional painter. He worked for Hercules Inc. and Sunflower Army Ammunition Plant, DeSoto, for 18 years. He also worked at Pelton-Morrisey Painters and Mealman-Gorton Contractors, both of Ottawa; Salb Construction, Lawrence; and Baker University, Baldwin City, for two years. He retired in 1997. He married Juanita M. Clark in 1957. They divorced. He married Leah T. Smith in 1975 at Burlington. She survives. Survivors also include son, James Melroy, and his wife, Judy, Wichita; daughter, Lora (Melroy) Johnson, Florence, S.C.; stepdaughters, Jane Smith and Larry Geiss, Lawrence, and Terri Smith, and her husband, Robert, Longford; sister, Mary Cockrell, and her husband, Don, Platte City, Mo.; granddaughter, Amie Dubuisson, Carriere, Miss.; step-grandson, Ryan Horne, Mission; step-granddaughters, Robin Smith, and Kendra Smith, both of Kansas City, Mo.; great-grandson, Jace Bentley Dubuisson, Carriere, Mo.; and step great-grandson, Rhett Stephen Horne, Gridley. He was preceded in death by brothers, Robert G. Melroy and Paul Melroy; and sisters, Donna A. Melroy and Joyce Robinson. SERVICES: Graveside funeral services will be held from the Highland Cemetery, Saturday, June 9, 2007. IN STATE: Mr. Melroy will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary to the service hour where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Highland Cemetery, Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Midland Hospice c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.