Melburn R. "Buddy" Trover

Melburn “Buddy” Trover, age 92 years, a resident of Vienna and a former resident of Ozark, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2015, at 1:15 AM at Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna. Melburn was born May 6, 1922 in Burnside Township, Johnson County Illinois. He and his twin sister Wilma were the sixth and seventh of eight children born to Edward S. and Esty Ann (Murrie) Trover. Buddy was the last surviving sibling of his family, who additionally included Alice, Edward M., Bob, Paul, Olive, Wilma, & Jackie. Buddy was united in marriage to Garnelle Bethel on August 3, 1940 at Jackson, Missouri. Together, they have enjoyed over 74 years of marriage. They were dedicated to their family and enjoyed spending time with them. In addition to his wife, Buddy is survived by their children: Jerry (Cena) Trover, Larry (Patti) Trover, and Bobby (Marleis) Trover. Buddy & Garnelle’s daughter, Alice Trover Jackson, preceded him in death. Buddy is also survived by his grandchildren – Kevin (Tatia) Trover, Amber (Chris) Taylor, Laura (Chad) Alsip, Leslie (Sid) Liles, Chad (Deborah) Vaughn, Kristi (Dustin) Moll, Aaron Trover, Justin (Sarah) Trover, Sara (Keith) Socki, Lance Trover, Ashley Trover, and Donnie Gaddis; great grandchildren – Matthew Summers, Jake Palozola, Landon Trover, Emily Horn, Jacob Horn, Macey Alsip, Kaitlyn Moll, Amelia Moll, Ethan Trover, Chayse Socki, Taylor Socki, Rachel Liles, Quentin Speir, Bryce Vaughn and Brendan Vaughn; great-great grandchildren – Leela Horn, Asher Palozola, and Bryce Beason. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents, daughter, brothers and sisters, Buddy was preceded in death by: a grandson – Charlie Summers, a grandson-in-law – Vernon “Bub” Horn, and 2 great grandsons – Gabriel Moll and William Cory Trover. Buddy grew up on a farm near Ozark, Illinois and continued farm work in the produce business for several years. He enjoyed selling peaches, apples, and floral items, particularly fall mums of all colors and varieties. Buddy is remembered for his love of and ability to “sell” anything. Selling was in his blood. In 1964, Buddy and his family moved across the field to his parent’s family home. There, he planted an orchard of apples and peaches to add to his reselling produce business. Packing tomatoes, shipping them, and orchard work created many jobs for people in the area. The Trover children all worked in the business and delivered produce to stores, two of his sons, Larry and Jerry, are continuing the tradition of the family produce business. After retiring from the produce shipping business, Buddy continued to “peddle” produce at a fruit stand in Harrisburg. Buddy and Garnelle hauled watermelons and cantaloupes from Indiana and Missouri and peaches from Cobden. He might be seen selling mums in Vienna, Harrisburg, Metropolis or any other local community. Buddy enjoyed attending his kids and grandkids games and activities. He had a love for all kids, encouraging, quizzing and giving money for learning Bible verses. He had a knack for learning Bible verses and would quote them often to anyone at anytime. A few of his favorites included Proverbs 3:6, Jeremiah 33:3 and Isaiah 40:31. Buddy was always a giver and helper. If a child or family didn’t have money for produce, he would give them produce and/or loan them money. He was generally aware of the fact that he wouldn’t get the money back. If asked again to help, he would do the same. He would always stop to help anyone stranded on the roadside and would always pick up hitchhikers. He taught Sunday School for approximately 25 years, first at the Ozark Baptist Church and later at Pleasant Ridge Church. Not only would he teach but also he would pick the children up and take them home again. He taught Bible classes every Saturday evening for approximately 5 years at the Illinois Youth Facility in Harrisburg. Buddy and Garnelle developed a nursing home ministry. For 20 years, they took their dogs to nursing homes for resident therapy. Buddy loved his dog Rolly, the main attraction during the last 8 years, as he blessed residents at the nursing facilities. Rolly now resides with Buddy’s best friend, Lloyd and Kay Holder. Lloyd partnered with Buddy the last few years of the nursing home ministry. Buddy had a zest for life and loved every day. When asked how he was at anytime during his life, he would quickly reply, “I am Blessed.” His daily prayers were “Blessing For Others.” The family wishes to thank the administration and nursing staff of the Hillview Health Care Center in Vienna for their tender care and love shown to Buddy during his residency in that facility. A Celebration of the Life of Melburn “Buddy” Trover was conducted Saturday, January 10, 2015, at 2 PM at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Jeff Owens officiated. Burial was in the Reynoldsburg Cemetery near Tunnel Hill. Visitation was conducted from 11 AM – 2 PM Saturday, January 10, 2015, at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Memorials may be made to the Reynoldsburg Cemetery Fund, c/o Bob Harper, 30 Harpertown Lane, Tunnel Hill, Illinois 62972 or to the Hillivew Health Care Center (Activities Fund), 512 N. 11th St., Vienna, Illinois 62995 or to the Health Occupation Students of American (H.O.S.A.) c/o Vienna High School, nursing program, 601 North First Street, Vienna, Illinois 62995.

Melburn R. "Buddy" Trover

May 6, 1922 - January 8, 2015