Melvin Autrey

Melvin Chester Autrey, age 65, of Holts Summit, passed away Friday, May 11, 2012, at his home following a long struggle with ALS. Mr. Autrey was born July 24, 1946, in Mexico, Mo., to Marion Chester Autrey and Mamie Thelma Harlow Autrey. He was married April 3, 1993, in Centralia, Mo., to Ella Isabelle Dailing, and had lived in Holts Summit since. Mr. Autrey graduated in 1965 from Paris High School in Paris, Mo. Following graduation, he was employed by J.C. Penney Co. for nearly 20 years. He then worked for Walmart for a short time. Starting in 1987, he was employed by the State of MO Department of Corrections. He retired in 2006 due to health issues. He was a life-time member of the Paris Baptist Church and a long-time member of the Eagles and The Sons of The American Legion. He loved to go to auctions, flea markets and garage sales. He loved bragging on how many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren he had. He will be mised by his close friends and by Carl Dry, whom he called brother. Survivors include: his wife, Isabelle; a son, Mark Autrey and wife Beverly of Bowling Green, Ky.; step-children who he claimed as his own, Martin Ahrens and wife Cheryl of Wellsville, Mo., Angela Meissen and husband Robert of Raymore, Mo., Mike Ahrens and wife Missy of Mexico, Mo., Nancy Leslie and husband Doug of Lee's Summit, Mo., Ashley Ahrens of Raytown, Mo.; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law who he claimed as his own, Leonad D. Dailing and wife Carol of Centralia, Mo., Ben Dailing of Moberly, Mo., Helen Pierce of Thompson, Mo., and Fay Dailing of Centralia, Mo.; several nieces and nephews who he claimed as his own; 22 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; an aunt, Alice Townsend of Centralia, Mo.; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, one sibling, brother-in-law, and several uncles, aunts, and cousins. A Celebration of Life will be held at Cedar Grove Baptist Church in Holts Summit, Mo., on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to SSM Hospice, Jefferson City, Mo., who had been a part of his family day by day.