Melvin Garner, age 84 of Salem, passed away on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at his home.

Melvin was born on December 3, 1940, in Salem, the son of Byron Brown Garner and Nina Florence (Howard) Garner. He married Esther (Porter) Garner on March 28, 1958, in Centralia and together they shared 67 years united in marriage.

Survivors include his daughters, Lisa Ambuehl and husband Kyle of Salem, and Lori Dunbar and Frank of Salem; grandchildren, Dustin Byars and wife Jessica of Salem, Chelsea Bisconti and husband Randolph of Salem, Lindsay Harper and husband Dillon of Salem, Logan Bolton and wife Ashley of De Soto, MO, Danielle Byars of Salem, Amber Ambuehl of Salem, and Ashley Ambuehl of San Diego, CA; great grandchildren, Carson, Kaiden, Nathan, Kylen, Gavin, Hailey, Gabby, Nicholas, Graysen, Isaac, Gage, Raegan, Emberley and Summer; sister, Dixie Royer; along with several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bryon and Nina Garner; sisters, Joyce Draper and Deloris Finckbone; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Elmer and Ella Porter; and brother-in-law, Marvin Porter.

Melvin was a member of the Elm Grove Church of Christ. He worked for a short time for the Salem Police Department before beginning a 39-year career with on the pipeline for Mobil Oil. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini fan.

Funeral services for Melvin Garner will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with David Snow officiating. Burial will follow at Paradise Cemetery in Salem. There will be a visitation held on Sunday from 2:00 pm until the time of the service. Memorial contributions can be made to the Salem Township Hospital Foundation and will be received at the funeral home. Online condolences and memories can be left at www.CrouseFH.com.