Mel Fanning

Mel Fanning, 71, died Tuesday, October 31at St. Francis Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee after a lengthy illness.

He was born January 14, 1935 in Collinsville, Illinois and married the former Lorna Marth on July 3, 1954, who survives him. He moved to Jonesboro in 1986 from Illinois and was employed as Operations Manager of Arkansas Glass Container until his retirement in 1999. He was an avid country music singer and guitarist performing weekly at the Bono Senior Citizen's Center, as well as an avid NASCAR fan. He was also a member of the Nettleton Masonic Lodge.

He is also survived by two sons, Tim Fanning of Jonesboro, and Todd Fanning (wife, Rachel) of Spring Valley, Illinois and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, three sisters, and one brother.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, November 3 in Jonesboro Christian Church, with Mr. Steve Shepard officiating, and burial to follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers are Gregg Fanning, Derek Fanning, Brett Fanning, Matthew Fanning, Ryan Bertels, Brad Myers, Paul McKnight, Cecil Hancock, and Ted Smith. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. Friday until service time at the Jonesboro Christian Church, with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.