Melvin William Kassel

Melvin William Kassel, 85, died peacefully Monday, Jan. 15. He was a lifelong resident of Antonia, Mo. For many years, Melvin worked as a John Deere mechanic for Staat Equipment in Antonia and later became a local truck driver for the grocery industry. A member of the Teamsters, Melvin retired in 1996. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He was a founding member of the Antonia Fire Protection District and helped purchase Antonia's first fire truck. Melvin was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Imperial, Mo.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Janet Kassel; his daughter, Joan (John) Sands; his son, Jerry (Jessica) Kassel; his granddaughters Claire (Paul) Keith and Sophia Kassel; his grandson, Matthew Kassel; his sister-in-law, Vera Franks; his nephew, John (Cindy) Franks; and his niece, Judy (John) Kremmel. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Jr. and Esther Kassel, and his brother-in-law, Robert Franke.

Visitation will be from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 6550 State Road 21, Imperial, Mo. 63052. The funeral service will follow at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be at the church's cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church Endowment Fund.