Obituary of Melvin Jontra

Roy Melvin Jontra, of Coffeyville, was a devoted, loving husband, father, father-in-law, brother, grandfather and child of God, he went to be with his Lord and Saviour, surrounded by his entire family on Sunday afternoon July 12, 2015. Melvin was born on December 7, 1948 in Winfield Kansas to Arley Ernest Jontra and Catherine Pauline (Travis) Jontra. He grew up in Hewins Kansas. He attended grade school and high school at Cedar Vale, Kansas where he was taught school by his Aunt Betty Travis. He always told stories about how she was harder on him than she was on the other students. He graduated from Cedar Vale High School in May 1966. He then attended Fort Scott Community College and Coffeyville Community College. He started helping his dad and uncle farm when he was 10 years old, driving tractors and loading grain to take to the elevator in Cedar Vale. Farming was always in his heart, as he continued to be a cattle rancher. He was a member of the Keystone Lodge number 102. He owned a partnership in D&M Trucking. He worked the majority of his life for Warburton Valve and J&S Machine in sales and repairing valves for all the major refineries. He retired from J&S Machine & Valve in December 2013. After retirement, Melvin enjoyed spending time with his eight grandchildren, family and friends, taking care of his cattle, fishing, and keeping Mary Kay out of trouble. He had an awesome sense of humor and was a joy to be around. He was married to the love of his life, Mary Kay Mangan, at Holy Name Catholic Church on September 6, 1968; they were married for 46 years. With that wonderful union, God blessed them with four loving children and eight grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Mary Kay Jontra, of Coffeyville and children, Melissa Kay Hannah and her husband Steve Hannah their children Tyler and Kylie of Coffeyville. Melanie Stewart and her husband Duane Stewart and their son Dominic of Arizona. Elizabeth Keene and her husband Jimmy Keene and their children Madison, Morgan, Heidi, Emery and Arley of Coffeyville and Travis Jontra of Coffeyville. He has 2 brothers, Mark Jontra of Rossville, Kansas and Marlin Jontra of Onaga, Kansas. He has 3 sisters, Millie Dravo of Rossville, Kansas, Shirley Sue Adams of Coffeyville Kansas and Kay Williams of Wingo Kentucky, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends. The Rosary and visitation will be on Thursday, July 16th at 7:00 pm at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville. Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Friday, July 17th at Holy Name Catholic Church. The burial will immediately follow at Robbins cemetery following the service. Friends may call on Wednesday, July 15th from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm and Thursday, July 16th from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeville. The family suggests that donations be made to Holy Name Catholic School in his memory. Contributions can be left with the funeral directors or mailed c/o David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 N. Cline Rd, Coffeyville, KS, 67337.