Melvin E. Barth

Melvin E. Barth, 88, of Springfield, died at 8:00 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2006 at his residence. Melvin was born March 17, 1918 in Tremont, IL the son of August and Dorothy Neuswanger Barth. He married Norma J. Oettle on June 24, 1950 in Springfield. Mr. Barth was a veteran of the U.S. Army - Air Force, serving during WWII from 1942 – 1946, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant and receiving: 1 Service Stripe, 4 Overseas Service Bars, an American Campaign Medal, a European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, a WWII Victory Medal and a Meritorious Unit Award. He owned and operated Zero Food Lockers from 1946 to 1982 and he was the owner of Pine Acres Christmas Tree Farm. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers: John and Orville Barth. He is survived by his wife: Norma J. Barth of Springfield; two sons: Daryl G. (wife, Denise) Barth of Pleasant Plains and Mark A. (wife, Sandra) Barth of Chesapeake, VA; eight grandchildren: Michelle, Alexandra, Melissa, Sarah, Jordan, Catherine, Justin and Elisabeth; two brothers: Richard (wife, Dorothy) Barth of Morton, IL and Ben Barth of Ellenton, FL; two sisters: Marietta (husband, Melvin) Kauffmann of Goshen, IN and Darlene (husband, Elmer) Kaeb of Tremont, IL; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Services will be at 12:45 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2006 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home with Rev. Travis Peterson officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Illinois, VNA of Central IL, 720 N. Bond St., Springfield, IL 62702-9914 or SKKY (Springfield Knox Knolls Youth), 2251 W. Monroe, Springfield, IL 62704. The Family of Melvin E. Barth is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield.