Mary Lou (Melvin) Halliday, the daughter of George Otis Melvin and Mary Matilda (Teare) Melvin was born in Rock Port, Missouri on November 29, 1921. She passed away Monday, August 20, 2007 at the Glen Haven Manor in Glenwood, Iowa at the age of 85 years.

She attended the Rock Port and Barnard, Missouri schools, graduating from Rock Port High School in 1937. Mary Lou then received her degree in English from the Missouri State Teacher’s College in Maryville, Missouri. She later returned to Northwest Missouri State University, earning her Masters in English in 1963. She taught in Burlington Junction, Missouri and Tarkio, Missouri, retiring in 1980. Mary Lou was committed to bringing out the best in all her students and was determined the students were going to learn whether they wanted to or not. Mary Lou was a member and former President of the Missouri State Teachers Association. She was also a member of the Tarkio Business and Professional Women, and served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the annual style shows.

On December 28, 1941, Mary Lou was united in marriage to Richard Alexander Halliday. They made their home north of Tarkio where they farmed until Richard entered the service. Mary Lou then went to work in Kansas City, working for the Firestone Company. When Richard returned from serving his country overseas, the couple moved to San Antonio, Texas. Following his honorable discharge, they returned to Tarkio where they lived the remainder of their married life.

Mary Lou was a dedicated member of the First Christian Church in Tarkio where she served on the church board. She and Richard enjoyed traveling and spent many winters in Hawaii. They also traveled overseas, touring Europe. Richard passed away in 2003.

Due to ill health, Mary Lou moved to Glenwood to be near her daughter, Dee Ann and her family.

Mary Lou is survived by one son Doug Halliday and wife Becky, Minneapolis, Minnesota, one daughter Dee Ann Slater and husband Don, Glenwood; two grandchildren, Alex Slater, Glenwood and Mary Slater, Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Besides her parents and husband, Mary Lou was preceded in death by one son, Richard Halliday II in 2002.

Funeral Services: Thursday, August 23, 2007, 11:00 a.m. at the Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Burial following at the Home Cemetery, Tarkio.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 22, 2007 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.
Memorials may be directed to the Carlotta White Educational Scholarship Fund.
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio.