Dateline: Claflin, Kansas

Melville Farmer, 77, died August 5, 2015, at his home in Claflin. He was born October 25, 1937, in Newton County, Arkansas, the son of Harley Porter and Susie (Brewer) Farmer.

A longtime Claflin resident, Melville had worked as a tool pusher and driller, working for Big Springs Drilling.

On May 11, 1956, he married Aletha Mae Ragsdale in Hoisington. She died April 21, 2000.

Survivors include; four sons, Lee Farmer and wife Sherri of Tuttle, Okla., Dale Farmer and wife Lori of Claflin, Marty Farmer and wife Raelene of Claremore, Okla., and Raymond Farmer and wife Erin of Council Bluffs, Iowa; brother, Gene Farmer of Larned; sister, Delphia Mae Armer of Purcell, Okla.; eight grandchidlren and six great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, parents; three brothers, Herman, Lyman and Albert Farmer; and a sister, Dorothy Bryant.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, August 10, 2015, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, with Rev. Gene Langhofer presiding. Burial will follow in Hoisington City Cemetery. Friends may call 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, with family to receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.

Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net