John Navy

John William Melton, U. S. Navy (Ret), 95, of Pauline, SC, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, March 20, 2015. He was born July 13, 1919, in Providence, KY, to the late George Ellis Melton and Susie Maloney Melton. Following the death of his mother in 1920, John was raised by his maternal grandmother, Ellen Whalen Ryan Maloney, in Earlington, KY. Upon her death in 1933, John was taken in by his Uncle Cleo and Aunt Leon Maloney. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1939 and was in Guam during the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Spending most of his twenty year career at sea in the Western Pacific, he repeatedly saw combat, surviving many attacks including a 1944 kamikaze attack that sunk the USS Abner Read in Leyte Gulf. Upon retiring from the Navy as a Gunner's Mate Chief in 1960, John moved to Chicago. He would later meet his future wife, Margaret Louise Finch Guy, in Miami, FL while visiting family. Married on March 17, 1972, the couple would move to her childhood family home in Pauline, SC in 1974. He worked at Community Cash in Spartanburg until his retirement. He lovingly cared for Margaret until her death in 1999. He was a faithful member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church where he served as a Sacristan, a former driver for Meals on Wheels, and a member of the Fleet Reserve. He is survived by his step-daughter, Carol Guy Robbins (Chris) of Knoxville, TN; grandson, Matt Robbins (Teresa) of Knoxville, TN; granddaughters, Suzanne McDonald (Mike) of Gainesville, FL, Christine Murray (Stephen) of Leesburg, VA, and Elizabeth Robinson (David) of Southern Pines, NC; eleven great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother, James L. Melton; and his sister, Anna Marie Melton. Visitation will be 6:00-8:00 PM Wednesday, March 25, 2015, with the Rosary beginning at 7:30 PM, at Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29307. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 26, 2015, at Historic St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 161 N. Dean St., Spartanburg, SC 29302, by the Rev. Timothy M. Gahan. Burial will be in Philadelphia Baptist Church Cemetery, 3119 Hwy 56, Pauline, SC 29374. Memorials may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 161 North Dean Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's Greenlawn Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John William Melton US Navy (Ret) please visit our Sympathy Store.