John Melvis Souders of Fenton, Missouri passed away Thursday, November 13, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 90 years, 11 months and 11 days. He was born December 2, 1923 in Bourbon, Missouri to Jesse O. Souders and Gladys Cummins Souders. In June of 1950 in Steelville, John was united in marriage to Florence D. Walker and to this union three children were born.

John served his country honorably in the U.S. Army from 1946 to 1947.  He worked for General Motors for thirty years and retired in 1984. He was a member of the UAW Local #25. During high school John was active in 4-H and carried that interest throughout the years by his time spent gardening, hunting and fishing. He loved the outdoors and was always a hardworker. Even after retirement, he enjoyed doing lawn work for others.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of sixty-four years, Florence Souders of Fenton, MO; one son, Carl Lee Souders of Villa Ridge, MO; two daughters, Karen Lynn Tynes and Keith Tynes Sr. of Affton, MO and Lorna Jean Stelmar and husband Richard of High Ridge, MO; seven grandchildren, Kelly Blake and husband Robert, Keith Tynes, Jr. and wife Angie, Michael Stelmar and wife Angela, Bret Stelmar and wife Bobbi, Rachel Nicholl, Katherine Souders and Joseph Souders; six great-grandchildren, Erin, Katelyn and Maggie Tynes, Tabetha and Tiffany Blake and Patrick Nicholl; sister in-law, Alice Souders of Rockford, IL; brother in-law, Cecil Pyatt of Cuba, MO; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Jessie Souders Jr., George Souders and William Souders; and three sisters, Hazel Souders, Helena Bryan and Connie Sue Pyatt; sisters in-law, Aileen Moutray and husband Raymond, Ava Bishop and husband Kenneth; and brother in-law, Thomas Walker and wife Betty.

The Family received friends from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Matt Cook officiating. Special music of "In the Garden" and "Amazing Grace" was played.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Liberty Cemetery, Steelville. MO.  Full military honors were given by the U.S. Army and VFW Post 5608 of St. James.

Honored to be casket bearers were Keith Tynes, Jr., Robert Blake, Michael Stelmar, Bret Stelmar, Russ Bishop and Rusty Bishop.

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.