Melvin J. Gossard

Melvin J. Gossard, 94, longtime resident of Altamont, Kansas, passed away at 12:10 a.m., Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Presbyterian Manor in Parsons.

Melvin Jay Gossard was born to Harold Wilbur Gossard and Eula Agnes (Clinkenbeard) Gossard on February 2, 1928 in rural Oswego, Kansas   He grew up and attended schools in rural Altamont and he graduated from the Labette County Community High School in 1946.  Following high school, he farmed and raised livestock throughout his adult life.

Melvin was a longtime, active member of the First Baptist Church in Altamont.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing and other sports.  Melvin always especially enjoyed farming.  He farmed the same land as his grandparents and parents until retiring and moving to Altamont in 1997.

On August 23, 1946, he was united in marriage to LaDonna Tallman at Parsons.   She preceded him in death on October 24, 1989.  Following LaDonna's death, he was married to Aline (Blackburn) Snead on November 1, 1991. She survives, of the home.

Additional survivors include, one son, Terry Gossard and his wife, Leslie of Altamont; two daughters, Kay Baum and her husband, Dan, of Neosho, Missouri and Kathe Schneider and her husband, Jene, of Spring, Texas; one step-son, Alan Snead, of rural Oswego; ten grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and his wife, LaDonna, he was preceded in death by one sister, Genevieve Pearson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Altamont with Rev. Greg Garrett officiating.  Burial will follow at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Parsons.  The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Baptist Church of Altamont and these may be left at or mailed to the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, PO Box 374, Parsons, Kansas  67357.