Elvin Melcher
Following a five-month battle with
Stage 4 esophageal cancer, Elvin Wilson Melcher, 87, passed away
Wednesday (March 13, 2019) at home.
One of seven children born to Elmer and
Cora (Staley) Melcher, Elvin accompanied his twin brother, Alvin,
into the world on May 19, 1931, in Franklin County. They were the
youngest members of the family, joining sister, Mary Lou, and
brothers, Ralph and Newell. Regretfully, Elvin never got to meet his
brother, George, and sister, Ruth Arlene, both of whom died early in
childhood.
After graduating from Ottawa Senior
High School in 1949, Elvin attended Kansas State University, earning
an undergraduate degree in agricultural sciences in 1954. While at
K-State, Elvin was a four-year member of the ROTC and, upon
graduation, was commissioned as an Army Reserve officer. He entered
active duty in 1954 and served two years before being honorably
discharged to Army Active Reserve for another six years of service.
Employed for six years by the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), Elvin first worked with the Farmers
Home Administration as a County Assistance Farm Loan Supervisor
before transferring to the Soil Conservation Service to serve as a
Soil and Water Conservationist.
Wishing to broaden his education, Elvin
returned to college and enrolled in a variety of business and
accounting classes. This led to subsequent positions as a bank
examiner of state-chartered savings and loans with the Kansas State
Department of Savings and Loans, and an accountant with the Railroad
Building and Loan Association. When the latter business was sold and
eventually relocated, Elvin resigned so as to remain in the Newton
home he had established with his wife, Betty (Bliss) Melcher, whom he
married on June 13, 1965. While continuing on to employment with
companies such as Hesston Corporation and J.I. Case, Elvin never
again found the career satisfaction he had enjoyed during his time
with the USDA.
Elvin is survived by wife, Betty of the
home; daughter, Kimberly Melcher of Colorado Springs, Colorado;
grandson Kyle Rutschman of Hesston; and brother, Lt. Col. Ralph
Melcher of Lawton, Oklahoma; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and five
other siblings, Elvin was preceded in death by daughter, Beverly
(Melcher) Rutschman; son-in-law, Alan Rutschman; and grandson, Cory
Rutschman.
Visitation will be from 1 to 5 p.m.
Sunday (March 17, 2019) at Petersen Funeral Home, 215 N. Main,
Newton, with the family receiving friends from 2 to 4 p.m. at the
funeral home. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday
(March 18, 2019) at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church, 1200
Boyd Ave., Newton, KS 67114. A private family burial will take place
at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are
suggested to Trinity Heights United Methodist Church.
Online condolences may be made to
http://petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com/home/.
