Joe D. Melton, 79, of Springfield, passed away Friday, October 4, 2013 in Cox South. He was born September 30, 1934 in Butler, Missouri, the son of Marie Katherine and Owen Joe Melton. He married Saundra Melton on June 2, 1961, who preceded him in death November 18, 1996. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church. Over the years, Joe's career spanned from a food broker with Libby Foods, to a VP and General Manager of United Insurers and concluded with the ownership of his own insurance agency with Melton Insurance. Joe was also a member of Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Temple and U.S. Army Reserve. He is survived by his son, Fred J. Melton; daughter and son-in-law, Deanna and Matt Miller; four grandchildren; Nicole Melton-Wilhelm, Natalie Melton, Noelle Melton, Melanie Miller; and one great-grandchild, Colt Wilhelm. Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 8, 2013 in St. James Episcopal Church, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. A visitation will be held on Monday from 7-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. James Episcopal Church or CARE, a no-kill animal shelter.