Joseph Anselm

Joseph M. Anselm, 94, Springfield, died at 7:26 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2011, in St. John's Regional Health Center with his family at his side.

The son of William and Adella Anselm, he was born in Chaffee, MO on July 14, 1917. Mel was united in marriage on June 17, 1939, to Geraldine E. Sander spending 64 years together before her death in 2003. He served his country in the Army during World War II.

Mel was employed with Reliable Life Insurance Company for 36 years before retiring in 1982. He was a longtime resident of Springfield and a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church. He will be remembered by his family as a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Jerry, his parents, William and Adella Anselm, his brother, Wilfred, and adopted sister, Joan.

He is survived by a son, Richard and his wife Dianna, Columbia, MO; two daughters, Carolyn Fetter and her husband Bruce, Rogersville, MO and Mary Kay Markwardt, Springfield, MO; five grandchildren, Shane Anselm and his wife Janet, Amy Davis and her husband Paul, Shondra Collins and her husband Jeff, Craig Fetter and his wife Gina, and C.J. Markwardt and his wife Jessica; three great-grandchildren, Jordan and Chelsea Collins, Corrine Anselm and soon-to-be great grandchild, Paige Markwardt.

Funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, October 13, in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church 2200 W. Republic Road. Burial with military honors will follow in Missouri Veterans Cemetery under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 12 in the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association 425 South Union Avenue Springfield, MO 65802.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com.