Melvin Milliken

Melvin ‘Mel' Milliken, 69, of Bartlesville, OK, went to be with Jesus, Thursday, October 20, 2016, from Jane Phillips Medical Center, Bartlesville, OK.

Melvin Ray Milliken was born Minneapolis, KS, the fourth of six children to Melvin Babe Milliken and Viola Leona [[]Trowbridge] Milliken. He was raised in the Chautauqua county Kansas, Niotaze area, attending schools there, graduating high school from McLain High School, Tulsa, OK. He attended college at Tahlequah, OK, for three years before being drafted in 1967 into the Army to serve in the Vietnam war. He received training as Medical Corpsman, and was chosen to be an aide for his commanding officer in Vietnam. After his service to our country, he worked in various capacities and ultimately owned and operated a service station.

Melvin moved to Caney, Kansas, in the late 1980s to take care of his mother until she passed in 2010. During that time he worked on the family ranch, helping his brother Phil. On August 10, 2014, he married Kathlene Blevins in Bartlesville, OK. She survives in the home.

Melvin was a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church, a wonderful gospel singer for many years and never take payment for his talents. He would sing in nursing and care homes, many churches and was an active Country Gospel Music Association (CGMA) member. Melvin started and developed many singing groups throughout the years. He always said, "The Lord has blessed me with this ability to sing, and I will not take payment for God's gift." Family tried to get him to record in Nashville in the '90s, but Melvin declined, again continuing to praise God for the songs in his heart.

Besides singing for his Lord, Mel enjoyed hunting, fishing, ranching cattle and horses, but doing for others in need was his mission in life - it was another ministry he took to heart. He would always let folks feed him for his labors, but would never take a dime.

Blessed to carry on Melvin's memories are his wife, Kathlene; his three daughters - Melitta (husband Sean) Fitzgerald, Denton, TX, Courtney Milliken, Tulsa, and Hilary Avalos, Laguna Beach, CA; five grandchildren, Conner, Tucker, McKinzie, Mikayla, Ella Jolee; brother Ronald Milliken, Tulsa, brother Philip Milliken (wife Margaret), Clever, MO, and sister Debra ( husband Bobby) Ryan, Avant, OK; as well as Kathlene's extensive family. He was a much-loved husband, father, and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Katherine, and brother Kenneth.

Friends may sign the memorial register Friday, October 21, 2016, from 8:00am to 8:00pm at Potts Chapel Funeral Home, Caney. Visitation services are scheduled for Friday evening, October 21, 2016, with family greeting friends beginning at 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at Potts Chapel. Memorial service is scheduled for 2:00pm, Saturday, October 22, 2016, at Emmanuel Chapel, 312 Broadway, South Coffeyville, OK, with Pastor James Feltner officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Niotaze, Kansas. Friends may leave online condolences at www.pottsfuneralhome.com.

Melvin's family wishes to express their sincere and warmest gratitude for the many thoughtful expressions of support and especially for the prayers during this difficult time by saying: "Thank you for caring."

Visitation

Visitation Service

Potts Chapel Funeral Home, Caney
107 N. State St
Caney, KS  67333
Friday, October 21, 2016
5:00pm to 7:00pm

Service

Memorial Service

Emmanuel Chapel
312 Broadway
South Coffeyville, OK  74072
Saturday, October 22, 2016
2:00pm

Cemetery

Fairview Cemetery, Niotaze, KS
Road 30
Niotaze, KS  67355