ARLINGTON — Melvin, D. Thompson, 85, died Jan. 13, 2012 at his home in Arlington. Born March 30, 1926 in Larned, he was the son of Edward A. and Catherine Evers Thompson. He lived in Arlington since 1984 and is formerly of Larned. He is a retired owner/operator truck driver.

He graduated from Larned High School and served in the Army during World War II. He was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, So. Hutchinson and was a former member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Larned, the VFW and the American Legion, both of Larned.

He married Carol L. Keenan in Colorado Springs, Colo. on July 17, 1948.

Mr. Thompson is survived by four sons, Dan and wife Kay Thompson, Pawnee Rock, Kim and wife Joy Thompson, Topeka, Randall Thompson, Pretty Prairie and Kevin and wife Marie Thompson, Wichita; three daughters, Karml and husband Randy Blumanhourst, Lyons, Krystl Thompson, Hutchinson, Kandi Smith and David Ramey, Ft. Worth, Texas; sister, Irene Reynolds, Oregon; 27 grandchildren and 25 great-granchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter, Kelcy Thompson; son-in-law, Mike Smith; grandson, Justin Thompson; granddaughter, Kara Hogan; brothers, Velmar Thompson, Russell Thompson; and sisters, Eleanor Winkler and Ethel Ford.

The funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Seward, with parish rosary at 10 a.m. Officiating will be Father Rene Guesnier. Burial will be at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Seward, with military honors by Ft. Riley Honor Guard. The vigil service will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in South Hutchinson.

Memorials are suggested to the Senior Center in Arlington in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.