Melvin Joel “Mel J.” Richardson, 81, of Bloomington passed away Saturday, May 9, 2016.
Peace came to Mel where his home was at Garden Villa and his family was with him.
Mel was proud to have been born to Christian parents, Joel E. and Martha E. (Chitwood) Richardson on June 27, 1934. The family lived with “Mom Richie’s” parents on the Chitwood family farm in the Unionville Community.
He was proud that his parents were long time members of the Unionville Church of Christ, where his father served as an elder for several years. He was also proud that Christian values had been handed down through five generations.
Mel and Donna Sue Bruner met in 1954 and married on March 9, 1956. They were blessed with two adopted children, Daphne in 1962 and the late Tad from 1968-2008.
Daphne Sego (Barry) survive with two lovely granddaughters, Grace and Chloe and a wonderful great-grandson, Beau all of Bloomington.
Mel’s faith and family were important in his life. He was a long time member of the Unionville Church of Christ. The family became members and Mel always made sure everybody attended church and church activities faithfully. Singing a cappella and using his pitch pipe, Mel was one of the song leaders for years and had served as a church Trustee. He sang a cappella in quartets, duets and sometimes solo for funerals and weddings, his lovely tenor voice was always enjoyed.
Mel was 12 years old when his father died. He credited his teachers and coaches for helping him adjust and have a good and happy life at Unionville Schools. Mel’s singing career began in the first grade when his teacher, Rachel Christy, and the Unionville Community learned he had a natural talent. In school he sang in all the musical productions, he sang in choir and played the trumpet.
He started playing basketball and softball at an early age, and he graduated high school in 1958, one of 18 seniors.
He continued playing softball in the city’s adult softball league, he became known as a good left handed strike-out pitcher. He also played on a winning softball traveling team.
Mel’s enjoyment of baseball continued. Many three day family vacations lasted throughout 15 years when they traveled to watch the Cincinnati Reds baseball games.
After high school, Mel worked at the RCA plant for a short time. He was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve. From November 1956-November 1958, he served during the Lebanon Crisis as a Radar Man on the U.S.S John Willis, Destroyer.
After returning from the Navy, Mel and Donna made their home in the Unionville Community. He worked for Colonial Baking Company for five years. Mel was hired as a salesman in the Home Improvement Department when Sears opened in the College Mall. He also owned and operated a school bus for Monroe County Schools and MCCSC.
Mel was a skilled carpenter. He was hard working, honest, passionate, strong, thankful and tender-hearted.
His building career began in 1967 when he built his first duplex and then in 1969, a triplex. He then built a garage for the school bus. He and his brother, Jim built a spec house in Danny Smith Second Addition and it sold immediately. In 1971, Mel founded Mel J. Richardson Builder Inc. He had the best of two professions building and farming and each gave him a opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. He especially enjoyed framing and finishing. In the beginning he built many fine homes all over Monroe country.
When Howard Young developed Hyde Park, he gave Mel an opportunity to build there. Over the years, Mel built about 20 houses there for customers and seven spec houses. Mel and his family are very grateful to Howard and his family and for the good employees, sub-contractors, suppliers, bankers and customers.
Mel also built fine houses in Hoosier Acres, Windemere, Blue Ridge Estates, Devonshire, Bellmeade and other sub-divisions. In 1984, Mel was partnered with Eastside Investments, and they built mini-warehouses. Mel also built commercial and professional buildings, small apartment buildings as well as large remodeling jobs.
In the 1980’s when Tad was enrolled in the 4-H wood working project and the 4-H beef project, a small farm was established. Soon it became larger when Tad began showing beef cattle at the Monroe County Fair and other Indiana county fairs. Mel raised cattle and started hay farming and it soon became MJR Farm.
After 35 years of building and 25 years of farming he began having some progressive health issues and memory loss.
In the past Mel had been active in the Unionville Church of Christ, Monroe County Builders Association, Monroe County Fair Board, and the Owen-Monroe Cattleman’s Association.
Mel’s surviving siblings are Alice Weddle of Martinsville, J.R. Richardson (Melvan), Sue Mitchell (Don Funkhouser) all of Bloomington, and nephew Tom Smith (Joyce) who grew up with the family, sister-in-law, Betty Richardson both of Bloomington and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, W. Kenneth Richardson, Robert C. Richardson, Isaac “Bud” Richardson, Evah Smith Robertson, Bernice Sparks and infant Doris Richardson.
A graveside service will be 11:00am Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at Unionville Cemetery with Pastor Allen Ketchersid officiating.
The Funeral Chapel of Powell and Deckard, 3000 E. Third St. in Bloomington is handling arrangements.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Bloomington Hospital Foundation-The Alzheimer’s Resource Center, P.O. Box 1149, Bloomington, IN 47402 or to the Unionville Church of Christ, P.O. Box 180, Unionville, IN 47468.
The family would like to offer sincere thanks to their family, friends and organizations for the prayers, love and support on their journey with Mel and Alzheimer’s Disease. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of their Garden Villa family for their compassionate and professional care.