WHITTEN, Melvin Berry

West Valley View, Avondale, Arizona Friday, February 24, 2012 Melvin Berry Whitten, 78, of Goodyear died Feb. 17, 2012, in Goodyear. Mr. Whitten was born March 4, 1933, in Luthersville, Ga., to Callie Florence Spradlin and George Arch. He served in the Navy, Marine Corps and Army during a 20-year military career. His expertise was in satellite communications. He married his first wife, Jeannette Schandelmeier, on Oct. 13, 1957, in Kenosha, Wis. While living in Robins, Ga., he met his second wife, Ruth Bowden. He was member of St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Goodyear. He is survived by three sons; Dick Dewitt of Hill Air Force Base in Utah, Greg Shook and Glenn Shook; five daughters, Roxanne Glissen of Bonaire, Ga., Suzanne Chavez of Knoxville, Tenn., Nancy Bronson of Sierra Vista, Cathy Sanchez and Christine Eppard; three brothers, Marvin of Simi Valley, Calif., Fred of Kenosha and James; four sisters, Louise Pike of Cleveland, Tenn., Patricia Arnold of Huntsville, Ga., Diane Hunt of Georgia and Betsy Russell of Georgia; 13 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth. Services were held Feb. 23. He was buried at the National Cemetery of Arizona. Condolences may be sent to the family at thompsonfuneralchapel.com.