Russell "Don" Melton

Russell Donald Melton passed away on August 4, 2017 at the Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas at the age of 86 years, 8 months, and 1 day.

Don, as he was known, was born on December 3, 1930 to Russell Mark and Mary Margaret Kennedy Melton in Mitchell County, Kansas. He attended elementary school in Asherville, and went to high school in Beloit graduating in 1949. He married Betty L. Warner from Glasco on October 8, 1950 in the Glasco Christian Church. They lived north of Asherville, where he worked as a farm hand. He was a veteran of United States Army as a Corporal, and served in the Korean War. After being released from the Army, Don moved his family to Fullerton, California, where he worked for his uncle for about a year selling Sparklets Water before returning to Beloit. Don didn't like California, and was ready to return to Kansas. He worked at the local golf course and returned to farming.

He was involved in the VFW and enjoyed sports. In school, he was a great basketball player and spent time later in his life coaching girls basketball at local schools, including St. John's, Beloit, and Southern Cloud. He was dedicated to his land and the nature around it. In 1986, he received a Soil Conservation Award, and in 1990, he received the Wildlife Habitat Conservation Award.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; and son, Mark Earl.

He is survived by his wife Betty; children Steve and wife Judy, David and wife Judy, Kent and wife Yvonne; 6 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and many friends.