Melvin L. Wriedt Jr.

Sergeant First Class Melvin L. Wriedt Jr., Missouri Army National Guard, ret., age 59 years, of Rocky Mount, Mo., died Monday, October 8, 2012, at St. Mary's Health Center. Mel was born June 10, 1953 in Kirksville, Mo., the son of Melvin L. Sr. and Mary Ann Maupin Wriedt. He was married on October 20, 2007, in Jefferson City, Mo., to Diana S. Darnell. A resident of the central Missouri area for most of his life, Mel graduated from Quincy High School, Quincy, Ill., and attended Quincy College and Truman State University. He served in the United States Army and the Missouri Army National Guard for 15 years until ill health forced his retirement as a Sergeant First Class in 2006. Mel was an avid golfer, enjoyed entertaining and was lovingly known as the grill sergeant. He especially loved his military family, his lake home and his lake family. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Jefferson City, a past member of the El-Kadir Shrine Club and a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 105, both in Kirksville, Mo. Survivors include: the love of his life, Diana Darnell; two daughters, Cybil Wriedt (Lin) of Iowa City, Iowa and Chelsea Leipard (Micah) of Columbia, Mo.; one step-daughter, Julie Darnell of Jefferson City, Mo.; his mother, Mary Ann Wriedt of Kirksville, Mo.; three sisters, Vicki Martinez (John) of Bennet, Colo., Tanya Dow (Neil) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Jackie Osborne (Deryl) of Macks Creek, Mo.; one brother, George Wriedt (Carolyn) of Kirksville, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews, who will miss Uncle Buddy. He was preceded in death by his father and one brother, David Wriedt. Visitation will be at the First Baptist Church in Jefferson City from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 12, 2012. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 12, 2012, at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Doyle Sager officiating. Graveside services and interment with military honors will be conducted at 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 12, 2012, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Assn. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com