HOWARD FRANKLIN MELTON, JR., age 88, a resident of Matthews, died Monday, November 7, 2022, near Matthews, Mo.

He was born July 3, 1934, at Almyra, AR., to the late Howard Franklin Melton, Sr., and Elena Roberts Melton.   He had lived in Sikeston and Matthews area most of his life and was an ordained minister of the Gospel.  He was employed with Ryans Restaurant Company as a district supervisor until his retirement.

On May 19, 1951, he married Naomi King, who preceded him in death on October 15, 1976.   On October 28, 1978, he then married Barbra Saundra Goodale, who preceded him in death on March 4, 2021.

Surviving are his children, Anthony Melton, Michael (Lori) Melton, and Tammy Melton; several grandchildren, including Ansel Loring Melton and Micheal Lee Melton, Anthony Dennis Melton, Jr and Tonya Denise Melton Gage; several great grandchildren; one brother, Charles (Shirley) Melton; also, a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his wives and parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Timothy Melton and Steven Melton and step sons, Lee Elgin Brown and Elgy Lynn Brown and his brothers and sisters, Noel, Benny, Vivian, Opal, Jerry Dale and Juanita.

Visitation will be from noon until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 16, 2022 , at the McMikle Funeral Home in Sikeston.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston.

The family asks those in attendance of the funeral and visitation to please dress casual.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com