Melvin Slaven

Melvin Slaven, 93, of Sulphur, LA went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Saturday, August 26, 2017.

Mr. Slaven was born and raised in Mt. Herman, LA and has lived most of his life in Lake Charles.  In his early years he was part of the Soil Conservation Corps helping farmers build terraces in the fields to conserve the soil. At the age of 20 he entered the United States Army serving in the field artillery and combat replacement. After being shipped overseas, he was selected to serve in the Army-Air Corps. He drove cargo trucks in Europe during World War II and also served in the Korean War. He transferred to Chennault Air Force Base in 1958 and retired Master Sergeant in 1963 with 20 years of service. He then worked many years for Perkins Auto Supply as a Warehouse Supervisor.

Mr. Slaven became a Christian at the age of twenty-eight at Canaan Baptist Church, Franklinton, LA and was ordained a Deacon in 1959 in the Iowa First Baptist Church. He since has been a long standing member and Deacon of East Ridge Baptist Church.

Mr. Slaven enjoyed fishing and gardening and will be remembered for kindness, patience and his keen sense of humor.

He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of sixty-eight years, Willie Seal Slaven of Sulphur; one daughter, Joan Kershaw and husband Murphy of Iowa; three sons, Gary Slaven and wife Julie of Carlyss, Mark Slaven of Lake Charles and Darryle Slaven and wife Oline of Huntsville, TX; grandchildren, Kyle Slaven, Craig Slaven, Carly Touchette, Brenda Findley, Stephanie Reed, Bryan Findley, Roy Slaven, John Slaven, Joe Slaven, Megan Pickens, Colson Slaven, Cherri Trahan and A1C Gena Kershaw; 11 great-granddaughters, 4 great-grandsons and one on the way,  one brother, Donald Slaven; two sisters, Wanda Lee and Betty Truxillo and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Newton and Lena Johnson Slaven; three brothers, Kenneth Slaven, Vernon “Shorty” Slaven, and Merwin Slaven.

The family of Mr. Slaven would like to thank Dr. Gary Kohler, his nurse Peggy Ward and the nurses and staff of Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion.

Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM Monday, September 04, 2017 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel in Lake Charles.  Reverend Alan Weishampel and Reverend Larry Staggs will officiate. Visitation Sunday will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and will continue Monday from 8:00 AM until the time of service in the funeral home. Interment services with full military honors will follow in Highland Memory Gardens in Lake Charles.