Melvin Cecil Starkey was born on December 8, 1938, at Marquand, Missouri, the son of Roy Cecil and Nellie Mae Starkey, and passed away on January 9, 2025, at the age of 86 years.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, one (1) sister, Mary Jane Stonehouse, and two (2) brothers, Marvin Starkey, and Bob Starkey.

Melvin is survived by his wife Bessa Lee Starkey, who he married on June 9, 1958, at Marquand, Missouri, two (2) sons, Melvin Lee "Toad" (Sylvia) Starkey, James P. (Sandra) Starkey, one (1) daughter, Saundra Hilterbrand Ivison, two (2) brothers, Bill (Linda) Starkey, Roy E. "Bud" (Lois) Starkey, four (4) sisters, Della Rhodes, Pearl Sitze, Joan Stevens, Patricia Deguire, eight (8) grandchildren, Matthew (Alicia) Hiterbrand, Deidre (Joshua) Smith, Kieran Ivison, Stacey Thomas, Jason (Samantha) Thomas, Gena Crump, Ginger Couch, Jenifer Reynolds, twenty two (22) great-grandchildren, and eight (8) great-great-grandchildren.

Melvin was of the Christian Faith, and he enjoyed working and spending time with his family.