Leland A. Melton, age 89, of Eldon, died Sunday, December 14, 2008, at St. Marys Health Center. He was born in Olean on March 8, 1919, a son of the late Edgar and Maude (Holloway) Melton. On April 1, 1941, in Kansas City, he was married to Nell Ruth Allee, who preceded him in death on November 2, 1997.

Leland was a member and former deacon of First Baptist Church in Eldon.

Those who survive him include: his daughter, Mary Kay Ziegler of Merriam, Kansas; three granddaughters, Angela Clevenger of Republic, Andrea Tartar of San Diego, California and Jaye Lee Snowden and husband Shane of Ozark; three grandsons, Jason Ziegler of Merriam, Kansas, and Paul Ziegler and Eric Ziegler, both of Overland Park, Kansas; three great grandchildren, Nick Clevenger and Desiree Clevenger, both of San Diego, California and Lydia Ziegler of Mission, Kansas; two great-great grandchildren, Kaeden Clevenger and Kale Clevenger, both of San Diego, California; two brothers, Blanton Melton of Springfield and Carl Melton of Lake Ozark; one sister, Treva Ramel of Blue Springs and numerous nieces and nephews.

His daughter, Barbara Tartar, also preceded him in death.

Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, with services immediately following at 1:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Eldon. Rev. Bob Buster will officiate. A private family interment will be in Eldon City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Eldon Food Pantry or the Heifer Project International.