Mahlon L. Fairchild

Dr. Mahlon L. Fairchild, 86, of Maryville, MO, passed away on Friday, June 30, 2017, at the Maryville Living Center, Maryville, MO.

Mahlon was born in Spencer, IA, on October 13, 1930.  His parents were Elmer and Faye (Eaton) Fairchild.  He was raised on a farm near Linn Grove, IA.  He later received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD., from Iowa State University, Ames, IA. He was a former resident of Columbia, MO, and moved to Maryville 22 years ago.

Mahlon married Shirley (Natvig) Fairchild and they had 3 children.  She later preceded him in death.  He was also preceded by his parents, 2 brothers, Homer and Stanley, and his daughter, Jeanette Forbis.

He was a Professor of Entomology at the University of Missouri/Columbia from 1959 till 1993.  He was the former Entomology department chair, and produced many PhD., and Master’s students during his tenure.  He also directed the professional and commercial pesticide applicator trainer program.

Mahlon proudly served his country in the US Army.

He formerly attended St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Columbia. He was the former branch president and 60 year member of the Entomological Society of America, past international president and life member of the Cosmopolitan International service club, the Maryville Host Lions Club, the Maryville Men’s Forum, the “Hardees Boys” local coffee group, the Nodaway Masonic Lodge #470, AF & AM, the James Edward Gray American Legion Post 100, and a member and attended the First United Methodist Church in Maryville.

On January 3, 1995, Mahlon was united in marriage to Johanne Wynne, in Maryville, MO, she survives of the home in Maryville.

Other survivors include his children, Bruce (Sharon) Fairchild, Horseshoe Bay, TX, and Julie Fairchild, Columbia, MO, 3 step children, Stephanie (Mike) Grier, Patrick Wynne, and Becky Wynne; his brother, Bernard (Arlene) Fairchild, Spencer, IA; his sister in law, Doris Fairchild, Henderson, NV; his son in law, Dale Forbis, Columbis, MO; grandchildren, Lindsay (Dayton) Ponder, Jenna (Dustin) Stewart, Ben (Shawna) Forbis, Julia Fairchild, Chris Nichols, Cory Nichols, James Condon, Ryan Condon, step-grandchildren, Will & Patrick Grier, and Anna, Katy and Meah Schommer; 6 great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mahlon was a loving dad and grandfather.  He loved to travel the US and Canadian Provinces, and drove to Alaska twice.  He liked camping and wintering in Texas.  He enjoyed his service clubs, serving others, and the friendships he made, and enjoyed bowling.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM, on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church, Maryville, MO.  The burial will be held at 4:00 PM, July 8 ^th , at the Memorial Park Cemetery, Columbia, MO.

Friends may stop by the Bram-Danfelt Funeral Home after 1:00 PM, Wednesday, July 5, 2017.  The family will receive friends from 6-8:00 PM, Friday, July 7, 2017, at the church.

Military honors will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Maryville, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the First United Methodist Church, Maryville, The Maryville Host Lions Club, or the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

For online condolences and guest book, visit www.bramfuneralhome.com