Melvin Louis Holzum

Melvin Louis Holzum, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, at his home. He was born on April 10, 1945, to Louis and Mary (Stoverink) Holzum in Leopold, MO. He attended Leopold School and was a 1963 graduate of Leopold High School. He loved sports. He played high school volleyball, basketball and baseball. Volleyball was his favorite and he often told stories of his days of playing. He remained a faithful supporter of the teams after returning to live in Leopold in 1979.  He also played Legend baseball at Jackson, MO, after high school.

He was drafted into the Army in June of 1966. He was elected to become a drill sergeant and spent his 2 years of service at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War. After serving his country, he worked at Chevrolet in St. Louis and enjoyed time with his brother Ernie, attending ball games of his nieces and nephews. He returned to SE Missouri and worked for Jim Wilson Company for several years. Melvin had a hobby of painting small statues. He painted a variety of things but mostly religious concrete statues.

He married Evelyn Marie Bradford on June 21, 1969. She passed away on May 25, 1976, at the age of 28. To their union was born Alissa Marie and Mark Louis Holzum. He later married Dianne Teresa VanGennip on October 1, 1977.

Survivors are his wife Dianne of the home; one daughter: Alissa Marie (Perry) Davis of Springville, TN; two sons: Brian (Kendra) Holzum and Kevin (Jill) Holzum of Jackson, MO; his beloved grandchildren: Jenny and Christa Vandeven, Logan, Brooklyn, Katelyn, Zoey, Connor and Charlotte Holzum; one sister: Judy (David) Elfrink; sister-in-law: Emma Holzum of St. Louis, MO; brother/sister-in-laws: Michael (Dorothy) VanGennip, Lynn (Ruthy) VanGennip, Richard (Tammy) VanGennip all of Marble Hill, MO, and Sharon (JC) Brucker of Chaffee, MO.; honorary brother: Jim Almond.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother: Ernest Holzum; sisters and brother-in-laws: Alma (Rufus) Claspill, Virginia (Walter) Elfrink, Gene (Eleanor) Nenninger and brother-in-law: David Elfrink.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Hutchings-Pendergrass Funeral Chapel in Marble Hill. KC Rosary will begin at 7:00 pm.

Funeral Mass will begin at 9:00 am on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at St. John Catholic Church in Leopold, MO., with Reverand Vincent Rathappillil, VC. officiating. Burial will follow at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO, at 11:00 am. 

Pallbearers will be Steve Seiler, Vic Vandeven, Alan Stoverink, Terry Stoverink, Brad Landewee, and Jace Jansen. Honorary Pallbearers are Andy Landewee and Tyler Clubb.