Clarence Melvin Painter, 76, of Winchester, KS, died on February 25, 2026. He was born on July 13, 1949, in St. Joseph, MO, the son of Ralph Melvin and Clara Ida Belle Gibson Painter. He graduated from 8th Grade from Holton Elementary School. He enlisted in the Navy, serving during the Vietnam War and on the USS Hornet, which was responsible for recovering the astronauts from the Apollo 11 moon landing mission. He later worked as a bricklayer and various jobs in the farming industry.

Clarence married Jeanie Janet Jolliffe on April 19, 1974, in Valley Falls, KS. They were married until her passing in 2015. Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Clara and his wife, Jeanie. He is survived by his son, Jonathan (Jennifer) Painter of Winchester, KS; daughter, Rebecca (Roger) McMullen of Topeka, KS; 7 grandchildren, Elecktia McMullen, Aidan Anderson, Stephanie Painter, Sierra Nicole McMullen, Meagan Painter, Danielle Painter, and Samuel Painter; and one great-grandson.

Memorial donations are suggested to Jefferson County Humane Society. Funeral Service for Clarence will be at 12:00pm Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at Barnett Family Funeral Home in Oskaloosa, KS. Visitation will begin at 10:30am. Burial to follow at Pleasant View Cemetery. Barnettfamilyfh.com