Melvin Frank “Buddy” Dingess, 73, of Chapmanville, departed this life peacefully and surrounded by loved ones at CAMC Memorial in Charleston, WV on September 21, 2024, following several months of battling deteriorating health.

Melvin was born on May 8, 1951 to the late John Dingess Jr. and Virginia Farris Dingess in Logan, WV. After graduating Logan High School in 1969, he worked briefly for Watson’s in Logan before enlisting in the U.S. Air Force where he attained the rank of Staff Sergeant and bravely served his country during The Vietnam War.

He served his community in many ways over the course of his life. He spent a decade as a coal miner for Westmoreland Coal Company. He served as a corrections officer for the Logan County Jail. He was a prior member of the UMWA and a current member of American Legion Post 200.

He became a familiar face to most Chapmanville residents after dedicating 29-years to the Chapmanville Post Office.

In later years, he loved spending time with his grandchildren, who never failed to brighten his hardened face with a mustached grin. From them, he earned the title he cherished the most: “Papaw Buddy.”

He faithfully attended Crooked Creek Church of Christ, where he proudly served as Sunday School Superintendent and occasionally as a Sunday School Teacher. He deeply loved his church family.

Preceding him in death was his sister, Linda Dingess of Chapmanville, WV.

Family left to cherish his memory include his wife, Karen Dingess; daughter, Melinda (John) Wright of Huntington, WV; step-son, David (Crystal) Gore of Logan, WV; grandchildren, Grayson and Hillary Gore; brothers, Jerry (Theresa) Dingess and John Dingess III, both of Chapmanville, WV, Kenneth (Carolyn) Dingess of Garland, TX; sister, Sheila Dingess of Chapmanville, WV; nephews, Jeremy Dingess of Chapmanville, WV and Timothy Dingess of Carrollton, TX; nieces, Allison (Chris) Ojeda of Charleston, WV and Kimberly (Ronnie) Williams of Brandon, MS; two great-nephews, Jayden Dingess and Henry Ojeda; and one great-niece Aida Ojeda.

A celebration of Melvin’s life will be held at Crooked Creek Church of Christ on Thursday, September 26th at 11:00 a.m. with Ralph Perry and Tim Secrist officiating. Visitation will be held at Evans Funeral Home in Chapmanville on Wednesday, September 25th from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens where military graveside services will be conducted. Funeral services have been entrusted to the care of Evans Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Chapmanville, WV.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Ralph Perry for his presence and guidance in Melvin’s final hours.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jerry Dingess, John Dingess, Kenneth Dingess, Jeremy Dingess, David Gore, and John Wright.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Crooked Creek Church of Christ.