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Melvin H. Worth 1925 ~ 2010 |
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Melvin H. Worth 1925 ~ 2010 |
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| MELVIN "MEL" HAROLD WORTH, born March 1, 1925, at Wakefield, NE, was the oldest of five children (Melvin, Elton, Phyllis, Donna, and Janice). Mel passed away August 9, 2010, at the Saunders County Medical Center in Wahoo, NE, at 85 years of age. Mel’s earliest years were spent on farms near Oakland. His family moved to Oakland where he finished grade school and graduated from Oakland High School in 1942. He worked for several years at the Oak Theater as the projectionist then enlisted in the Army where he proudly served in the 3124 th Signal Corps for the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. His unit provided support to the front lines in France, Holland, Belgium and Germany. Mel met his future wife Virgene Koehler at a dance in Craig, NE after World War II. As she said not long ago “Mel and I met at a dance and we’ve been dancing ever since.” They were married June 8, 1949, in the Craig United Methodist Church. They began their life in a house that they built together at 109 Brewster Street in Oakland. To this union, three children were born: Dan Melvin, Todd William and Jayne Marie. Mel was a wonderful grandfather to five grandchildren: Hannah, Adam, Julia, Peter and Chloe. Mel loved carpentry and built fourteen homes in the Oakland area with his partner Ellert Sandquist. Mel then moved to the Farmers Co-op Union where he was the lumber yard manager from 1954-1973. Prior to his retirement he worked for Great Plains Supply Company in Oakland and finally with Goldenrod Hills Community Action Agency in Wisner, NE. He retired in 1987, but still continued to be a carpenter for his many friends in Oakland. Mel was a busy hardworking citizen and was always involved in community activities. He was chairman of the “Spectacular” for the 1963 Oakland Centennial, served on the Oakland City Council and served many terms on the Oakland Heights Nursing Home Board of Directors. His efforts led to many improvements in the community including many new buildings at the Oakland City Park, swimming pool improvements, picnic shelters, concession stand at the football field, the foot bridge and the gazebos at the city park and at the Burt County Museum in Tekamah, NE. Mel was a lifelong member of the Oakland VFW, the American Legion, the First United Methodist Church, and the Oakland Lions Club. Mel loved music and the arts. He was instrumental in Oakland’s presence at many vocal musical events including supplying the public address system for the community singers on the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. He made sure that every community event, especially the Swedish Festival, had music and a good sound system. After retirement, Mel and Virgene were constantly taking friends to musical events in their van sharing the joy of music with others. Mel also helped his children pursue their musical interests. He provided equipment and transportation for Dan’s rock and roll band, helped Todd set up his drum set in the living room and provided a piano and lessons for Jayne. Mel shared his love for music with Virgene—it brought them together and kept them dancing together for 59 years. When not attending musical events, music was always playing at their home. Mel and Virgene lived in the house they built until 2003 when they moved to the Saunders County Care Center. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Vernie and Elsie Peterson; wife, Virgene; brother, Elton; sister, Phyllis; brother-in-law, Alan and nephews, Bobby and Tory. Mel is survived by children and spouses; Dan and Laurie (Richards) of Lincoln, Todd and Rena of Lincoln, Jayne and Kenneth Taylor of Mead; grandchildren, Julia Worth of Chicago, Peter and Chloe Worth of Lincoln, Hannah (Taylor) and Wylee Anderson of Omaha, and Adam Taylor of Lincoln; sisters, Donna (Harold) Baldwin of Oakland, Janice (Don) Schnier of Beatrice, NE. FUNERAL SERVICE: Friday, August 13, 2010, 10:30 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church, Oakland. BURIAL: Oakland Cemetery, with Military Honors by Ryan VFW Post No. 5543 and American Legion Post No. 46 VISITATION: Thursday, 1 – 8 p.m. with the family receiving friends from 4:30 -6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Visitation Friday will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. MEMORIALS: Donor’s choice, Oakland First United Methodist Church, Friends of Oakland Foundation
Please feel free to send your condolences to the family. |
