Melvin Dean Fanska

Mel Fanska was a man of many talents and gifts. Rising from a childhood of financial hardship, Mel joined the armed forces which led to world travels and work in army intelligence where he earned his stripes as a Master Sargent in the United States Army. Returning from Europe Mel began a long and prosperous career as a master plumber and HVAC specialist with the Raytown Public School District. After becoming a widower, which family produced a son and a daughter, he later married Noma Mauldin, his surviving widow from 29 years of marriage. Mel had a deep belief in God which started with the Salvation Army as a youth where he played in their band. He later joined the RLDS church, now called Community of Christ, where he served in many capacities, first as a deacon and later as an elder. He served as caretaker of many of the utilities at the historic Stone Church in Independence. He and Norma later attended the East Alton congregation close to their home in East Independence. Mel served faithfully for many years in the ministry. Mel was a deep thinker, a philosopher who often read from a varied field of disciplines, in particular those that related to philosophy and religion. He was progressive in thought and deeds. He was a consummate volunteer helping many with home repairs many who could not pay for those services. He loved family and friends almost to a fault. He is survived by wife Noma Fanska of Independence, son Dean Fanska and wife Lisa, daughter Linda Lee, step daughters Debbie Mitchell and her husband Tom, Terry England and Cindy Miller, brother Jerry Fanska and his wife Charlene, sister Connie Patillo and her husband Gary and sister Margaret Quintero. Mel also leaves behind several grandchildren as well and great grandchildren. Mel is preceded in death by his parents, brothers Albert and Carl Fanska, sisters Patricia Fanska, Carol Dutton and Mary Miller, 2 grandsons have also preceded him in death.