KENNETH MELTON

KENNETH LEROY MELTON

Stuart

Kenneth L. Melton, age 87, passed away on September 5, 2010 at the Community Care Center in Stuart.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m., at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Des Moines with burial and military rites at Glendale Cemetery. Family will receive friends prior to the service from 9 a.m. until service time.

Kenneth was born September 29, 1922 to Frank and Maude (Kent) Melton in Des Moines, where he lived his entire youth. Ken proudly served in the US Navy during WW II and spent two years and two months on the USS Gatling DD671 and on that destroyer fought 13 major battles and 26 engagements in the South Pacific from 1943 until 1945. After his service Kenneth returned to Des Moines to join the family business. He later opened his own business and was an interior designer for over 60 years, covering Iowa and eight other states.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; his wife Delores (Collins) of 45 years; his daughter Madonna Melton; his son Stephen and one grandchild, Stephanie Melton. Kenneth is survived by five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; his brother Paul Melton and wife Ann of Beaverdale; sister-in-law Vi Melton of Des Moines; brother-in-law Ron Collins of Portland, OR; daughter-in-law Willetta Melton of Des Moines and many nieces and nephews and friends, his living and traveling companion of 20 years, Cozette Harris of Stuart, IA. Ken will be remembered for his quiet, gentle ways and his kindness and love for everyone.