Melvin R. Bailey, 73, of Key Ridge, Bellaire, Ohio, died September 19, 2016 in Wheeling Hospital.

He was born in Bellaire, Ohio on November 16, 1942, son of the late Francis D. "Bub" Bailey and Francena Parks Bailey.

Mel was a retired truck driver from Roadway Trucking. He was a veteran having served in the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne; a member of the American Legion Post 77 in Neffs; a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church; a member of Weyer Lodge #541 F. & A.M. in Centerville; enjoyed hunting, fishing, family and was an avid history aficionado.

In addition to his parents, Melvin was preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Hinkle and a granddaughter, Jordan.

Mel is survived by his loving wife, Stephanie Bowman Bailey; five children, Edward (Jessica) Bailey, Theresa Bailey, Steven "Bubba" Bailey, William (Mary) Bailey and Kevin (Teresa) Bailey; a brothers, John "Jack" (Marge) Bailey; brother-in-law, John Hinkle Sr.; fifteen grandchildren; Devon, Dyton, Weston, Devan, Brendon, Trenton, Katherine, Lindsey, Katelyn, Tyler, Dalton, Andrea, Marina, Sawyer and Dawson; many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received at the Toothman Funeral Home in Jacobsburg, Ohio on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm, where services will be held on Friday at 12 p.m., with Rev. Kurt Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery, Key, Ohio.

Full Military Honors will be conducted on Friday in the cemetery by the Belmont County Veterans Association. A Masonic Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 7:45 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel Presbyterian Church, C/O: 51779 Key-Bellaire Rd., Bellaire, OH 43906.