Melda June Shirel

Funeral service for Chelsea resident, Melda June Shirel, will be 1 p.m. Monday, January 7, 2013, at the Chelsea United Pentecostal Church. Revs. Glendon Nance, Rick Nance, and Bill Shirel will officiate. Burial will follow at Chelsea cemetery, under the direction of Chelsea Funeral Home and Crematory. Viewing will be Monday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church.

The daughter of Hensal and Bertha (Jones) Rathfon, Melda June was born December 16, 1928 in Chelsea. She passed from this life at her home in Chelsea on Thursday, January 3, 2013.

Melda June grew up, attended school, and graduated in Chelsea. On April 5, 1946, she married Olen Shirel . To this union were added four children. She worked as a telephone operator, and also worked at Chouteau nursing home for a time in the 1980’s. She enjoyed sewing and reading, but most of all caring for her family and working for the Lord. She was a prayer warrior who always supported her husband’s ministry, helping him pastor for most of their married life. She loved visits with her many family members.

Melda was preceded in death by her parents, Hensal and Bertha Rathfon, and a granddaughter, Maggie Grace Shirel.

She is survived by her husband, Olen of the home, daughter, Kathryn Beauchamp and husband Lewis of Chouteau, sons, Olen, Jr. and wife Mary of PA, Doug and wife, Kim of LA, and Tim of Chelsea, and grandchildren, Scott, Nick, Keegan, Jenni, Stefani, Tiffany, Katrina, and Melinda. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many cousins and loved ones.