Melvin Miller

Melvin (Mel) Buford Miller, 72, of Warrensburg, MO passed away on September 11, 2019 at the Kansas City Veterans Hospital.  A long-time resident of Warrensburg, Mel was born on December 18, 1946 in Zwolle, LA to Billie June Brown (nee Sandel) and was adopted and raised by Claude Morgan Miller and Lillie Mae Miller (nee Lafiette) in Many, LA.  He graduated from high school in 1964 and briefly attended Kansas State University before serving in the United States Marine Corps from 1966 to 1969. After settling into the Warrensburg area, Mel owned and operated D&M Shoe Repair and provided the community he loved with shoe repair services, informal counseling sessions, cheesy jokes, and a place of camaraderie and fellowship that was open to everyone who crossed his path.  

Mel is survived by three children, Sherry (Mike) Hunter, Morgan (Lindsay) Miller, and Megan (Travis) Nicholls.  Two brothers, Kenneth Brown and James (Jimbo) Brown, four grandchildren, Brooklynn Nicholls, Paige Nicholls, Avett Miller and Finnegan Miller.

He was preceded in death by his biological mother, Billie June Brown, his adoptive father, Claude Morgan Miller, his adoptive mother, Lillie Mae Miller, and his brother, Terry Brown.  

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a short memorial service starting at 4:00 p.m. at the Johnson County Cowboy Church at 386 NW 145th Rd, Warrensburg, MO.  The family request that you please hug a loved one and take a moment to express the value they bring to your life.  Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson County Cowboy Church. 

Visits: 7

Condolences

  1. Lynn Knifong on September 16, 2019 at 11:18 am

    My thoughts and prayers are with the family! We knew Mel through his business. He was always such a kind, honest and God loving person who was a blessing to the community and everyone around him. He will be greatly missed!



  2. Gary L. Schwein on September 16, 2019 at 11:30 am

    I worked with Sherry several years while at Truman Medical Centers. I would like to express my sincere condolences to Sherry and your family. Our heart goes out to you during this difficult time. Please accept my deepest condolences for your family’s loss. May your memories give you peace and comfort.



  3. Sherry hauger on September 16, 2019 at 2:55 pm

    I worked with Mel God Bless his family.



  4. Holly Burford on September 16, 2019 at 3:30 pm

    I had the pleasure of working with him at BiLo. Whenever he had a new joke he would always come tell me and he would always ask how my daughter’s and myself were doing. He was a good hearted, genuine man who just wanted to see people smile. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.



  5. Colette Tilden on September 16, 2019 at 4:39 pm

    So sad to hear that Mel has left us. He will be greatly missed. Joe and Colette Tilden.



  6. Jean&Gary Chamberlin on September 16, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    I meet Mel though a friend. They came to see me at the hospital when I was in there. My husband and i meet him at bi -low when we were shopping there. He was the kindest caring and loving guys we ever meet. He had a heart of gold. We send condolences and prayers to his family.



  7. NADINE SOLES on September 16, 2019 at 5:09 pm

    I will miss Mel at Country Mart. We would “chit chat” on the way to my truck with groceries. He was excited about our new JC Cowboy Church building, loved his family, and life in general. I thank God for letting Mel and I cross paths.



  8. Don and Sharon James on September 16, 2019 at 6:05 pm

    We were so touched by Mel’s kindness and thoughtfulness since meeting him at JCCC. He always had a smile for everyone he met. We are far richer to have known this caring guy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.



  9. Amanda Waring on September 16, 2019 at 6:15 pm

    Megan and Morgan, my thoughts are with you and your families.



  10. Lajhanta Mcdonough on September 16, 2019 at 6:57 pm

    I met mel at bilo. Worked with him for a lot of years. He will be missed. Prayers to the family.



  11. Lou & Janet Sharp on September 16, 2019 at 7:09 pm

    Lou & I met Mel through Bi-Lo. He worked there as a Night Manager & then as a part-time employee. Not only was he an employee there, he soon became a very special friend of ours. He was a very genuine person & someone who drew people to him because of his genuine nature & caring spirit. Even in the times that he wasn’t working with us he never let a holiday or special occasion pass without calling us or letting us know that he was thinking of us. He was generous beyond compare & it was a honor to call him our friend. We will miss you in our lives but know that you are in a wonderful place now. We love you Mel & will never forget all the lives you brought joy to, including ours. God bless you & always keep you safe & at peace…



  12. Steven Thoms on September 16, 2019 at 7:36 pm

    I knew mel from way back when he was in his shop on the back corner of Estes hotel on Grover St.. he was always a positive influence on my life growing up and as an adult. I feel privileged to have called him a friend



  13. Brenda Nunez on September 16, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    I met Mel at Bilo,We hit it off right away.Him Joyce an I became very close.We was the 3 amigos.Mel will be missed so dearly!I will miss his calls.I have his voice messages that I will never delete.I always called him Mel Rose lol cause he would call me Brenda Lou knowing my middle name was Kay.Loved his jokes an him fly high my friend love you an thank you for being such a dear friend??????



  14. Linda Delgado on September 16, 2019 at 8:21 pm

    I had the honor to work with Mel always loved his jokes. He will be missed .R.I.P Mel till we meet again .



  15. Jana Miller on September 16, 2019 at 8:25 pm

    Mel was so kind and caring. He always had a minute to say hello and ask how you were doing. I will miss our conversations. Mel, I know you are in a better place. ????



  16. J Miller on September 16, 2019 at 8:28 pm

    This site inserts question marks and I can not edit…?



  17. Brandon Lindquist on September 16, 2019 at 8:44 pm

    Always enjoyed talking to Mel. He had such a positive outlook on life and was always willing to get you to laugh with one of his countless cheesy jokes. I consider myself a lucky person to have met and known Mel. You are already greatly missed my friend.



  18. Missy Wade on September 16, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    So sorry to hear about Mel. I used him many times through the years for shoe repairs and sent many other’s to him for repairs. He was such a good fair man and he will be missed. Prayers for comfort to his family.



  19. Bickel family on September 16, 2019 at 10:39 pm

    Mel and I go way back we served together in church and We had been been friends for many years and served in Royal Rangers together with Mel taking the lead in teaching and extremely faithful. Mel will be missed and always had a smile and an encouraging word for everyone. He has taken the lead again only this time in heaven showing the lead through his life as an example showing the way to all who crossed his path. I will miss having breakfast with him and listening to his jokes and can’t wait to join him in heaven. What a good friend he was to our family and we are praying for all of the family Sherry, Morgan and Megan. Sorry for your loss.



  20. Nancy Kenepp on September 17, 2019 at 2:26 am

    Mel will be missed by many with his “re-soleing”! Mel always made your shoes look like new after his repairs! We miss seeing Mel and his jokes at Old Drum Coffeehouse.



  21. Keith Bragg on September 17, 2019 at 4:24 am

    Mel was a long time family friend. Much of my knowledge of leather working came from him, and we both shared a liking for black powder firearms. I’m going to miss his sense of humor and genuine good will to others. Mel was a patriotic Christian gentleman. I’m sure the Good Lord has a special place for you with him.



  22. Bob and Rosalee Welling on September 17, 2019 at 8:29 am

    Bob and I are saddened by the news that we will no longer see Mel’s smile, that we cannot discuss the ups and downs of the Royals, depend upon his expertise with leather, and hear about his beloved family. Mel made this world a better place.



  23. Roberta Buckner Ulsh on September 17, 2019 at 9:23 am

    Hugs and prayers to the family Mel always had a smile for who ever walked into his shop. He will be missed by all. God bless the family.
    The Earl Buckner family



  24. Roger & Becky Ellingson on September 17, 2019 at 11:31 am

    We are very sorry to learn about the death of Mel, and our thoughts are with his family.



  25. Judy Clossin on September 17, 2019 at 12:14 pm

    I last saw Mel about 6 weeks ago when he personally delivered a yard swing awning he had repaired to my home in Knob Noster. He felt bad because it had taken him so long to repair it and would not take any money for his work. I count Mel as a special friend and enjoyed our visits in his last 2 shoe repair shops. He was a true patriotic Christian man as has been stated. Enjoy Heaven Mel ….well done good and faithful servant.



  26. Rick and Susie Mills on September 17, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    Our deepest sympathy to the family! He repaired several shoes and handbags for us! You will be missed!



  27. Dana Hoover on September 17, 2019 at 9:14 pm

    Loved Mel. I enjoyed our conversations from sport teams, religion, local going ons and my secret shoe/cobbler dreams. One of my favorite people around town to engage in chit chat. Deepest peace to Mel’s friends and family. He was always a sweetheart to me even when I was a cranky and didn’t deserve it.



  28. The Cogle Family on September 17, 2019 at 9:53 pm

    Our hearts and prayers go out to Mel’s family. We have fond memories of Mel from attending church together in Warrensburg. He always had a smile and a joke. Our sincere sympathies.



  29. Diane Thompson on September 18, 2019 at 7:06 am

    Sherry, Morgan and Megan, my thoughts are with you all in your time of sudden loss. To know Mel was to love him. Every time I saw him at Bi-lo he had a kind word and a conversation. He had such a talent when it came to repairing shoe heels and cleaning leather. I think he even reshaped David’s cowboy hat a time or two. He will be missed. I’m so sorry for your loss.



  30. Jamie Aiken on September 18, 2019 at 12:15 pm

    I am so sorry to hear about Mel’s passing. He will be missed in his shoe shop, at Bi-Lo, on Faceook (where we had political disagreements, sorta friendly ones!) and just around town. At some point we found out we had both been in Manhattan, KS at the same time-going to K-State ( 1964ish). Amazing. I know he will be missed in Warrensburg and in many of our hearts.



  31. Carol Fitterling on September 18, 2019 at 10:19 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of Mel’s passing. Besides missing the best shoe man ever I will miss seeing him when one of the wonderful bands we are blessed with play. He truly enjoyed the music. Always a smile on his face, always. He will be missed.



  32. Emma Taylor on September 19, 2019 at 1:21 pm

    I am sorry to hear of the passing of Mel. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. He was su h a kind , caring man. I remember when he was the leader in Royal Rangers to my 3 sons. He set such a good example in many ways. He will be missed.



  33. Peggy & Kenneth Brown on September 19, 2019 at 11:36 pm

    Always friendly and always interested in what we were doing.
    A sincere, honest man that had great integrity and empathy. A great story teller and the best shoe cobbler around-maybe one the last cobblers of that skilled profession.
    Unique in every way-he will be missed!



  34. Nedra Twillie on September 20, 2019 at 11:50 pm

    I will miss the wonderful conversations and the excellent shoe repair for the fractinedra twillie,mdon of the cost.



  35. Erica Collins on September 21, 2019 at 11:29 am

    I’ve known Mel for quite some time. Everyone who knows me knows I LOVE my shoes and would only entrust Mel with their repair. I recall he had repaired a specific pair so many times he made me throw them away. I loved his jokes, genuine heart and kind smile. Mel certainty will be missed.



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