Melvin N Unkel

Funeral services for Melvin N. Unkel, 87, of Battle Creek will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 22, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk: Reverend Brian Johnson will officiate.  Burial will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, Norfolk. Military rites will be by the Nebraska national Guard Honor Guard, American Legion Post 16 and VFW Post 1644. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at Home for Funerals, on Norfolk Ave, Norfolk, Nebraska.

            Melvin died Sunday, May 19, 2019 in Norfolk.

            Melvin was born December 13, 1931, to Albert and Cora (Knapp) Unkel in Battle Creek, NE. Melvin was baptized January 3, 1932, and confirmed May 20, 1945, at St. John Lutheran Church, Battle Creek. He attended St. John’s Elementary School through the 8th grade and graduated from Battle Creek High School in 1949.

            Melvin joined First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk on April 5, 1953. He married Dorothy Stevens on April 12, 1953. Melvin was in the National Guard and served in the United States Army, from September 21, 1953, to September 20, 1955, when he received his honorable discharge. While in the army Melvin was a Sargent in a truck company at Fort Eustis, VA. Melvin farmed near Battle Creek and lived his whole life on the farm where he was born. With the exception of the 2 years in the army.

            Melvin was an usher, elder and deacon at First Presbyterian, he was on the 4-H Extension Board and a 4-H leader, was president and secretary of the Battle Creek Rural Fire Board, served on the Battle Creek School Board, and was a member of the American Legion and Madison County Feeders.

            Melvin is survived by his wife Dorothy, their children David (Linda) Unkel, of Norfolk, Nancy (Todd) Coover of Norfolk, Karen (Bruce) Grant of Meadow Grove, 9 grandchildren, Leanne (Ron) Miller, Erin (Chad) Rowley, Jamie (Curt) Wolff, Jodi (Justin) Hoffmann, Traci (Tom) Sindelar, Ben (Megan) Coover, Jason (Megan) Grant, Jeremy (Ann) Grant and Kristen (Randy) Sindelar, 20 great-grandchildren, 2 sisters Margerie Fuhrman of Norfolk, Jeanette (Bob) Volk of Arlington, NE, a brother Orand (Polly) Unkel of Battle Creek, 2 sisters-in-law, Joyce Schomberg of Caledonia, MI, and Mabel Lethaby of Norfolk.

            He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Kathy, his father and mother- in-law, Leslie and Dora Stevens, brothers-in-law, Fred Fuhrman, Rev Elmer Schomberg and Earl Lethaby, and a sister-in-law, Zelda Stevens.

            Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Battle Creek Fire Department or the Battle Creek Lions Club.

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