Mr. Melvin E. (Gene) Needham, 70, of Wentworth, Missouri departed this life on Monday, October 20, 2014 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, Missouri surrounded by his loving family. Gene entered this life on December 9, 1943 in Wentworth, Missouri to the union of Milton and Edith (Boggs) Needham. He was a 1962 graduate of Pierce City High School. He proudly served in the United States Air Force from June 1964 and returned home December 1967. On October 4, 1964 he was united in marriage to Judy Bittick and together they shared fifty years until his passing. He was a manager of Freistatt Mutual Insurance Company for 37 years, and also served as past chairman of Missouri Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. Melvin received all recognized awards and commendations for MAMIC. In 1989 he was ordained into the ministry, serving Liberty Baptist, 1990-1997, Reeds Baptist Church, 1997-2005, Calvary Baptist, 2005-2010 and Interim Pastor at VanBuren from 2013-2014. He was a member of Freistatt Lions Club and also a member of Missouri Association of Mutual Insurance Companies. He enjoyed golfing and spending time with family and friends. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Ivohn Tidwell McCaw. He is survived by his wife Judy, of the home, two sons; Roger (Sue) Needham of Roscoe, Illinois, Darren (Lara) Needham of Republic ,Missouri, two daughters; Leesa (Sol) Taboada of Melbourne, Florida, and Janea (Jon) Minney of St. Charles, Missouri, grandchildren; Chad Arnold, Elisabeth Arnold, Nicole (Paul) Pearson, Kimberley Needham, Brandon Needham, Johnathan Needham, Halle Needham, Isaac Needham, Nathan Kuda and Jeremiah Kuda; one great-grandaughter, Melody Pearson and honorary granddaughter McKynlee Moore, two brothers; Ray(Toni) Needham of Pampa, Texas and Duane(Lois)Needham of Neosho, Missouri, two sisters; MaryAnna Geiser and Barbara (J.W) Foster all of Monett, Missouri as well as a host of other family and friends. Funeral services for Mr. Needham are 2:00 p.m. Friday, October 24th, 2014 at Reeds Baptist Church, Reeds, Missouri, with Pastor Roy Teed officiating. Interment will follow in Sarcoxie Cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be Thursday evening from 5-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Those honoring his life by serving as pallbearers will be Chad Arnold, Brandon Needham, Dustin Moore, Gary Kesphol, Dave Martin and Bob Craig. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and one great grandchild. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon's c/o of the funeral home. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through our website www.housh-goodwinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Housh-Goodwin Funeral Home, Sarcoxie, Missouri.