Melvern Cornett

FAMILY WILL BE RECEIVING FRIENDS TUESDAY 6PM TO 8PM

Melvern Leroy Cornett passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 27, 2018, surrounded by his family.  Melvern was born August 9, 1950, in Belleville, KS, the oldest of three children born to Charles D. & Freta E. (Blackburn) Cornett.  He was baptized in the Belleville Christian Church on April 17, 1960.  He attended grade school at Poplar Grove country school and Consolidated School District 230.  Melvern transferred to Belleville schools in the 8 ^th grade, graduating from Belleville High School in 1968.  He studied carpentry at Beloit Vo-Tech, graduating in 1969 with his class being the first to build a spec home in Beloit. On April 18, 1969, Melvern married Carolyn Sue Walker in Belleville, where they have been lifelong residents.  They have been blessed with three children: Yvonne Kay, Kevin Dale, & Jennifer Ann.  Melvern was employed by NCK Electric for seven years when he left to farm full-time.  He did what was necessary to support his family and the farm, working several part-time jobs over the years and driving semi for Sis Seed for seven years.  Evidently seven was his lucky number since he never worked for the other guy any longer than that, always returning to farming, his true calling.  Melvern became a member of Rural Water District No. 2 in 1976 , becoming Chairman in 2007 until his death. Besides farming, Melvern was an avid horseman and cattleman.  He enjoyed collecting toy tractors and trains, but his greatest joy was his family.  Melvern loved having his children and grandchildren tag along when checking cattle, going to breakfast at the café, 4-wheeling, sledding, fishing, and target practice.  No matter what he was doing (harvesting and field work, bottle feeding calves, building/tearing down fence, or a million other things), Carolyn was right there beside him.  They did it all together, always.  Preceding him in death were his parents and grandparents.  Left to mourn Melvern’s passing is his wife Carolyn of the home; as well as children: Yvonne & Daryl Barnhart of McCook, NE; Kevin Cornett of Dallas, TX; Jennifer & Mark Seiler of Salina, KS; and grandchildren: Morgan (Barnhart) & Clem Fellhoelter of Belleville, KS; Trey Barnhart of McCook, NE; Dane Seiler and Carson Seiler of Salina, KS.  Mother-in-law Marge Walker and step-mother Ramona Cornett, both of Belleville.  Sisters and brothers: Lewis & Vicky Novak (Belleville); Scott & Jeri Walker (Salina, KS); Julie & Verlyn Farlee (Republic, KS); Gary & Linda Walker (Belleville); Curtis Walker & Rhonda Webb (Belleville); Linda & Wes Wendt (Belleville); also  numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, and an amazing group of friends. Tibbetts-Fisher Funeral Home, Belleville is handling the funeral services, which will be held Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Belleville, Kansas with The Reverends David Metz and Travis Long officiating.  Burial will be in St. Katherine’s Cemetery, rural Belleville. Memorials in Melvern’s honor should be made to the Family’s Choice to be designated later.