Obituary of Melcher William Harding

Funeral Services for Melcher William “Mick” Harding of Eolia, MO will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 24, 2019 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry, MO.  Rev. Nathan Adams, pastor of the New Life Christian Church, will officiate with burial in the Eolia Cemetery near Eolia.  Serving as pallbearers will be Ben Sterne, Travis Dalrymple, Shane Martin, Shannon Smith, George Ricks and Terry Eivins.

Mr. Harding, 66, passed away Wednesday afternoon, August 21, 2019 at his home in Eolia.  Born April 30, 1953 in Louisiana, MO, he was the son of James William and Betty Jane Busch Harding.  Mick served his country in the United States Marine Corps from March 3, 1971 until he was Honorably Discharged on March 1, 1974.  He was united in marriage on October 8, 1977 in Kansas City, MO to Linda Carol Kelley in her parents’ home.  This union was blessed with three children: Scott, Sheryl and Sheldon.  Mick worked as a police officer and sheriff’s deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, retiring in 2002.  Most recently Mick worked as a Security Officer for Mercy Hospital Lincoln.  He was a member of American Legion Post #349 in Clarksville, MO and served on the Village of Eolia Board of Trustees.  Mick enjoyed to sing and play his guitar; but most of all loved spoiling his grandkids.

Mick was preceded in death by his father, James Harding; and three brothers: Michael, Marion and Mark Harding.

Survivors include his beloved wife of nearly 42 years, Linda Harding of Eolia; three children: Scott Harding and his wife, Melissa, of Troy, MO, Sheryl Mills of Eolia and Sheldon Harding, also of Eolia; and three grandchildren: Samuel James Mills, Isaiah William Harding and Noah Michael Harding.  Mick also leaves his mother, Betty Harding of Elsberry; one brother, John Harding of Paynesville, MO; one sister, Patricia “Trish” Parsons of Elsberry; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 23, 2019 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry.  Memorials may be made to the Family of Mick Harding in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 S. 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343.  A Celebration of Life Fish Fry will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at New Life Christian Church beginning at 12:30 p.m.  Please bring a covered dish and join in celebrating Mick’s life.