Melvin L. Van Cleave, 78, longtime Galesburg area farmer/stockman and a resident of the Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul, died there on Wednesday, June 25, 2008.

He was born August 2, 1929 on the family farm near Galesburg, to Noble E. and Pearl Trabue Van Cleave. He graduated from Galesburg High School.

From October of 1951 to October of 1953 he served in the United States Army. Through most of his adult life he farmed with his brother, Leland Van Cleave, and lived on the farm all of his life. The brothers showed cattle in various places in Missouri and Kansas. He was a member of the American Polled Hereford Association.

He was also a member of the Galesburg Christian Church and was a 60-year member of the Thayer Lodge #149, A.F. & A.M.

Survivors include a sister, Joan Greenfeather and husband, Tom, Parsons; best friends, Joe and Sondra Harris, rural St. Paul.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Melba Jean Van Cleave and his brother Leland Van Cleave, who died May 31, 2007.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Carson-Wall Funeral Home with the Rev. Leroy Foreman officiating. Burial with Masonic rites will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Galesburg.

The family will receive friends at Carson-Wall Funeral Home, Parsons, 7 to 8 this evening.

Memorials are suggested to the Prairie Mission Retirement Village and may be left with the funeral home or sent to P.O. Box 942, Parsons, KS 67357.