SPEARVILLE – Melvin Hines, 89, died Monday, April 24, 2023 at Southwind at Spearville.

He was born March 30, 1934 on the family farm north of Spearville, the son of Michael "Joe" and Charlotte S. (Schaffer) Hines. He was a graduate of Spearville High School and a lifetime area farmer.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, 4 ^th Degree member and past Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council #1539 and Lions Club all in Spearville. He also served on the Spearville Recreation Committee. He enjoyed skiing and boating at Cedar Bluff, was a licensed pilot and had travel to 48 states.

On August 17, 1954 he married Florence Stramel at Dodge City. She preceded him in death on March 1, 2019. Survivors include: 7 children, Athena Moen and husband Dennis, Garfield, Kansas, Dale Hines and wife Sandy, Spearville, Alan Hines and wife Julie, Spearville, Gary Hines and wife Joleen, Dodge City, Rick Hines and wife Karla, Hays, Kansas, Connie Schuette and husband Mike, Wichita and Sandra Junge and husband Tom, Adel, Iowa; a daughter-in-law, Susan Hines, Spearville; 22 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Marcella Griffin, Spearville and Mary Jane Stramel, Wichita.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, a son, Kevin and a sister, Joan Brock.

Vigil service and will be at 7:00 pm Thursday, April 27, 2023 at St. John Church, Spearville.  Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am Friday, April 28, 2023 at the church with Fr. John Forkuoh presiding.  Inurnment will follow in St. John Cemetery, Spearville.  There will be no public viewing, cremation has taken place.  Friends may sign the register book Thursday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Ziegler Funeral Chapel, Dodge City.

The family suggests memorials to Hospice of the Prairie or Southwind at Spearville both in care of Ziegler Funeral Chapel, 1901 N. 14th Ave., Dodge City, Kansas 67801.