Melvin Gene Surls, 81, of Fortuna, passed away at 7:42 a.m., Sunday, January 29, 2017 at his home in Fortuna, Missouri.

Mr. Surls was born June 2, 1935, in Bellflower, Missouri, a son of David C. and Virginia Oronda (Clark) Surls. Gene has a twin brother, Marvin Dean Surls and they were the first twins born in Bellflower.

Gene served his country in the United States Navy, entering on August 19, 1952 and being honorably discharged on April 19, 1955, serving in the Korean War. He had traveled on the Panama World Cruise, where he visited many places. Gene was the recipient of the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and National Defense Service Medal.

Gene married Eva Mae Meyer and they were the parents of 3 children. He then married, Thelma June Meads, on September 10, 1967, in Winfield, Missouri. She preceded him in death in 2012.

Gene was an over the road truck driver for several years. He had worked for PIE, Pacific Intermountain Express.

He had lived in Fortuna since October 1980. Prior to that, Gene lived in Camdenton for 9 years and in the Wellsville/Montgomery City area before that.

Gene was a member of American Legion Post 304 in Tipton, Missouri, for over 31 years.

He loved to work on cars and had worked on several friends and neighbors cars at no charge.

Gene is survived by his daughter, Holly Ann Cobb, of Montgomery City; sons, David Dean Surls, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Randy Dale Surls and wife, Nancy, of Middletown; several grandchildren; great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-law, Leroy and Helen Surls, of Moscow Mills and twin brother, Marvin Dean and Grace Surls, of Springfield; in addition to nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Virginia Surls; wife, Thelma June Surls and brother, Lloyd Surls.

Private family services were held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017 in the Bellflower Cemetery. Missouri Military Funeral Honors folded and presented the United States Flag to his daughter, Holly.

Memorial contributions were suggested to Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Columbia, Missouri c/o Myers Funeral Home, 203 East Bates Street, Wellsville, MO 63384.

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