Our beloved Melva was called to her heavenly home by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 27, 2024. Melva May, the wife of the late Daniel H. May, daughter of the late Katherine Ruble and Glen Ruble, mother of Shelley (Bob) Goeddel, Laura (Keith) Piontek, Terri May, and the late Daniel May Jr. Grandmother of Lauren (JC) Burnworth, Kristen (Jeff) Broeder, Jessica (Paul) Gruber, Daniel (Lauren) Goeddel, Jennifer May Goeddel, Jace Archdekin, Alexi May Archdekin, Joseph Goeddel, Alana May Archdekin, and Abby Piontek. Great Grandmother of Charlotte Burnworth, Sophie Burnworth, Greyson Daniel Goeddel, Jack Gruber, and Cecelia May Burnworth.
Melva was a faithful and joyful believer in Jesus Christ who lived her faith. She was an active leader and participant in many prayer groups around Saint Louis and her home Church, Christ Memorial Lutheran. Mel read the Bible every day and shared her favorite verses and prayers with her family and friends. Jesus guided Mel in her life and gave her hope and happiness throughout her days.
Mel was a tremendous chef for family gatherings, and her signature seafood pasta recipe, chicken & dumplings, and many other wonderful meals were a labor of love and will be missed. She loved the Lake of the Ozarks since she was a teenager staying at her Uncle Johnny’s house. Mel was still water skiing at the Lake at age 75. Family vacations to Fort Walton Beach, Florida, were an annual highlight for all of us. Mel always looked for opportunities to help others, and she was active with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren throughout her life.
Obstacles and setbacks did not stop Mel as she relied on Jesus and His teachings for guidance throughout her life, especially when her beloved son Danny passed in February of 1983. Mel put her faith in Jesus to help her through this event and Mel’s light continued to shine even brighter through the rest of her life. Mel was a loving caregiver to her parents, Katherine and Glen for many years, patiently caring for them as well.
Mel was a heavenly gift to friends and family, and she will be missed forever. She leaves behind an amazing legacy of resilience, deep kindness and love, and Christ like daily living that inspires us all. Our solace is that she is now in heaven with Dan and Danny and her loving parents.
Visitation at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 South Lindbergh Blvd, at 9 am on March 7, 2024, followed by a 11 am service at Christ Memorial and then internment at Resurrection Cemetery. Donations to Christ Memorial Lutheran Church and/or Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital – Cancer Services (in Memory of Danny May Jr) SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation are most welcome.
We will miss your Mom very much as we missed your Dad. They are together now and with their Lord and Savior. Amen
My thoughts, prayers, and love go to you as you grieve the loss of your beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, niece or friend during this difficult time. Great Aunt Mel was a beautiful human being inside and out and she will be greatly missed by all who had the chance to know and love her. I’m glad I got to see and speak to her at grandma Rita’s funeral. My deepest condolences. Love, love, love you all.
My sincere sympathy. Melva was the sweetest lady, always with a smile on her face and a kind word. She will be greatly missed but know that heaven has gained an angel.
To the wonderful May family :
I’m sure Melva LEE (as I teased her on our frequent phone calls) where we would visit about life with her wonderful family who she was so proud of them all. and her dedicated religious beliefs assures her, along with Husband Dan, a place in heaven with there Lord Jesus Christ.
Goodbye friend
Our sympathy and love go out to all of Aunt Mel’s family. We will always remember her sweet spirit and dedication to her family and her Lord. She was always there to help in any way that she could. We will miss her but know that she is in heaven reunited with her beloved Dan and Danny!
Our deepest condolences to the May family on the passing of Melva. She was always a loyal attendee at the McKinley Goldbug Luncheons and was very popular, especially with the 56′ group. We will miss her beautiful spirit!
McKinley Goldbug Alumni Committee
May family,
I am sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. She always had that infectious smile. I saw her a couple weeks ago and her last words were , “ Have a blest day” with the beautiful smile. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.
May family,
I am deeply sorry to hear about your mom. She always had a smile on her face. May you find peace that she is with Danny and your dad in the arms of the Lord. Hugs.
Good bye dear dear friend. Since we were kids playing under the street light on Missouri until after dark when we heard Jeanne Lee and Melva Lee being called by the two moms, both Katherine. Jim always so enjoyed he and Dan’s talks at the luncheons. You have always been such an inspiration to us and the world and thankful for your support when we lost our Cindi having gone thru the same sorrow with Danny. Your place has been reserved in heaven to go hand and hand with beloved Dan, Danny, Your Katie and Glen. In my heart you will always be my best friend. Love you always, God bless.
Shelley, Laura, Terri and family,
Many prayers for your mom and family. I am sorry for your loss. Your mom was so sweet and kind and had a wonderful smile. She is with God now, safe and with your Dad and Danny.
Peace,
Helen Heumann McCormack
Shelley, Laura and Terri,
One one hand I absolutely cherished the time I got to spend with your mom and dad and on the other hand I feel remorse I didn’t get to spend more time with them. It is really crazy how intertwined our lives were, going back to the 1950’s at McKinley HS where my mom and dad went to school with your mom and dad. Meeting your dad at my Affton Car Wash in the lates 90’s and finding out he was an uncle to my dear friend, Bill May. My son living in the same Saxon Manor Subdivision as your mom and dad. Our connection was meant to be. I’m a better man having known them.
Cathy and I saw your mom on January 24th at Esther Murphy’s service at Kutis. I will always remember that last conversation and how good your mom looked and how good she could make me feel when I talked to her. She was the hippest and sharpest 86 year old I have ever known. I will miss her.
God Bless you girls and your wonderful family. John Bumb
Mel was a dear friend.
I cherish all the wonderful and happy times that my husband and I shared with her over the years.
She had a great smile and was ray of sunshine to all that she met and will be greatly missed.
Since I recently moved to Atlanta, I am sorry that I will not be able to attend the ceremony.
Teresa Rabbitt
So so sorry to hear of Mel’s passing she was a lovely, dear lady with a genuine loving heart. We will miss her sweet personality and her love for everyone. We will miss her at the Bozzi Band jobs she attended as frequently as possible she loved music and we remember her and Dan dancing……..wow can’t believe she’s gone. May her soul rest in peace and to her family, you have our very deepest condolences. We just heard of her passing this morning which is the morning of her funeral. So sorry we missed it as we surely would have attended.
I only met Melva in August of this year but I felt a spiritual connection with her right away. She was one of the most beautiful women I have ever known. ❤️ She will be missed.
Hi, I’m Julie May’s daughter. I know Mel met my mom up in Heaven. Shelley, Laura, Terri – I am so sorry for your loss. I am sorry I couldn’t make funeral today, but my heart has been thinking of you all. Wishing you all some peace during this time.
Kindly, Madeline Campise
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother and that I am just now seeing this or hearing about it! Sending hugs of comfort to all of you… I know your strong faith will see you through!
Melva attended McKinley Goldbugs Luncheons at Royale Orleans. We saw her February 21, 2024. Melva and Dan were long time friends of many McKinley High School graduates. They had many friends at Crestwood Elks. We attended many functions, as well as cruises. We have wonderful memories of Mel and Dan. They were a jitterbug twosome. She was loved by all. We were informed of her death in the March-April, 2024 McKinley Goldbug Newsletter received today, March 23, 2024. It’s shocking to learn that Mel has passed away. We deeply feel Mel’s loss. Our heartfelt condolences to her family.
Joyce Fisher
Ron and Joan Wolff