Marilouise "Mel" Clopton, of Springfield, passed away September 1, 2018.

Funeral services, under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Homes, will be held at University Heights Baptist Church, on Thursday, September 6. A visitation will be held from 1:00-2:00 pm, with a service beginning at 2:00 pm

Mel grew up in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Gettysburg College. After marrying Jerry Clopton, they moved to southwest Missouri to begin their lives together.

Mel was a longtime member of University Heights Baptist Church and was very involved in the ministries and programs of the church. She had a large group of friends that she traveled with, and enjoyed rooting for Cardinals baseball and Lady Bear basketball. She could often be found at her grandchildren's sports and activities, and loved cheering them on.

Mel was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Anna Gautsch, and her husband, Jerry Don Clopton. She is survived by her daughter and son in law, Liz and Tim Burris, grandchildren Emily Burris and Matt Burris, her brother and his wife, George and Jean Gautsch, and other loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a host of long time friends.