James Edwin Mellers, known to his family and friends as JE or Jim, died peacefully on Sunday, December 18, 2016. Jim was born in Bell, California on August 2, 1925, the son of Irma and James H. Meller. In his later years, he enjoyed telling anyone who asked that he was a "1925 model."

Climbing above a tough start in life, Jim dropped out of high school to help support his mother and joined the army at the age of 17, where he served in the Signal Corps during WWII and in the Korean Conflict, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant. During that time that he was also stationed at Camp Crowder where he met his future wife Marietta Leidy at a dance. Following his military service, they returned to Springfield and started what would become Mellers Photo Labs, a leader in the photo processing industry for more than 50 years. With the success of Mellers Photo, Jim and Marietta felt very strongly about giving back to the community. Many charities and others needing a hand up benefited from their generosity. Jim and Marietta loved to travel and take cruises, and in the last several years, Jim enjoyed taking cruises with his special friend Peggy Cooper. He also enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships made while working out at the Meyer Center. Jim was known for his "interesting" and colorful jumpsuits, for his jaunty caps in many colors, his sly sense of humor, and his upbeat take on life. If asked how he was, he always replied, "Excellent!"

Jim was preceded in death by Marietta, his mother, father, brothers, and his grandson Joe Russell. He is survived by sons Fred and Ed (Jane) of Springfield. He is also survived by his grandchildren Neil Mellers (Amanda), Missy Mellers Kehrli (Adam), Madeline Mellers, Ashley Russell Yakes (Michael), Rachel Russell Aarden (Jeroen), and great grandchildren Celia, Quinn, and Crosby Mellers, Jackson and Paige Kehrli, Katherine, Elizabeth, and Margaret Yokes, Tess, Meret, and Willem Aarden, and Olivia and Harper Russell and their mother Crystal Harrington (Mark). Also surviving is his special friend Peggy Cooper and her daughter Melissa Cooper (Travis Paden).

The family wants to give special thanks to the Mercy Cardiology staff, especially Dr. Stanley Wiggins, for many years of excellent care and also to the very caring staff of James River Care and Rehabilitation Center.

At Jim's request, there will be no visitation. Inurnment will take place at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home at 2pm on Friday, January 13, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri or the Dickerson Park Zoo.

Though we will miss him greatly, we are happy that JE is at peace after living a long life done his way filled with love, success, and zest.