Melvin Robert Anz

Melvin Robert Anz, 93, passed away peacefully during slumber on December 28, 2014, at Goodall-Witcher Clifton Nursing and Rehabilitation. Graveside services will be at 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Clifton Cemetery with Rev. Don McCollum of the Grace Memorial Baptist Church in Clifton officiating. Visitation will be from 1:00-2:30 PM prior to the service. Pallbearers are John Rierson, Jack Colborn, Don Alanis, Ronald Ringness, Brad Muncie, and Leonard Turner. Honorary pallbearers are Rick Markel and Nathaniel Colborn.

Melvin was born Sept. 22, 1921, at Mosheim to Robert and Lillie Anz. He attended Mosheim schools and began working on local farms with his father at a young age. A World War II veteran, 1942-1946, he served with the 81st (Wildcats) 322nd Infantry Division, spent 4 months as a Private and ended his military career as an Antitank NCO-Tech Sergeant, in the South Pacific. He was part of the first troops to train at Ft Rucker in Alabama. The 322nd were the first to advance on Angaur Island, a small island in the Pelieu group, a part of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign. He earned the American-Pacific Campaign medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Ribbon, one Service Stripe, three Overseas Stripes, and the Bronze Star.

On return from the war, Melvin worked at Lockheed Martin Conveyor in Fort Worth, but quickly tired of the job due to all the "standing around" that the job entailed. He soon began building homes with his brother-in-law, James Johnson. After a stretch of time, he went back to farming in Central Texas. He married Frances Bagley Chambers on August 4, 1951 and on August 18, of that same year, Melvin opened the "Old Rock" Texaco service station on Hwy 6 in Clifton. He always had his shammy in his pocket ready to fill the gas tank with ethyl and make sure the windshield was shining. He lost Frances in 1998 after almost 47 years of marriage and sold the Texaco a year later.

His attention turned once again to the activity he loved most, farming. He raised a small herd of cattle during the next 12 years. He always maintained the most manicured beautiful property and he loved every minute of the time spent in the country.

Also preceding him in death were his parents; daughter, Patricia Farris; younger brother, Raymond; three sisters, Alleen Kiser, Rose Johnson, and LaVern Elza; grandson, Melvin Wade Farris; and son-in-law, Charles Farris.

Survivors include his daughter, Janette Rierson and husband, John, of Cleburne; three sisters, Ruby Collins and Fern Curlee and husband, Earl, all of Clifton, and Joyce Alanis and husband, Don, of Waco; grandchildren, Deborah Markel and husband, Rick, of Mesquite, and Dana Colborn and husband, Jack, of Montgomery; great-grandchildren, Heather O'Neal, Candace Markel, Caitlin Colborn, Nathaniel Colborn, and Addison Colborn; two great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and their families whom he loved dearly.

His daughter, Janette, and family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Goodall-Witcher Clifton Nursing and Rehabilitation staff and Hospice Sunset for their continued good care of Melvin. Also special acknowledgement for the time and attention his niece, Janice Collins, of Clifton took with him while also caring for her mother, Ruby Collins.