Melvin B. Bergman, 88, of Seneca, Kansas, died Monday, February 25, 2013 at Life Care Center in Seneca.

Melvin Bernard Bergman was born October 21, 1924, in St. Benedict, Kansas, the son of William and Anna Blocker Bergman. He attended St. Mary’s School in St. Benedict and helped in the family business, Bergman General Store.

In March of 1944 during World War II, Melvin entered the U.S. Navy serving as an aviation boatswain’s mate. He worked in the forward catapult launching planes off the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise CV-6, the famous “Big E.” He also served on the heavy cruiser USS Augusta CA-31 and at the US Naval Training Station at Farragut, Idaho. He received several medals for his service including the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal. He was discharged in May of 1946.

After the service, he operated the bar and pool table area of the Bergman Store until December of 1946. Melvin went to work in Dyersville, Iowa, in a factory making frames for farm wagons. He returned to St. Benedict in January of 1948 due to his father’s illness and operated the pool hall and bar.

On July 20, 1948, he married Zita M. Phillips at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. They lived in St. Benedict. In 1956 they purchased the Bergman Hy Klas from his brother Callistus. They owned and operated the store until February of 1987 when they retired.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Church where he served on the church committee for six years, the Knights of Columbus #1769 at Seneca for over 50 years, the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the VFW, and the Earle W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion. He instigated the Avenue of Flags and listing of veterans’ names at local cemeteries. He was also a member of the USS Enterprise Organization. He and his wife attended a number of Navy ship reunions.

Survivors are his three sons, Ed (Kim), Mike (Brenda) and Jerry Bergman, all of Topeka; one sister, Rita Wichman of Topeka; five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by his wife Zita on January 16, 2009; a son, Daniel Bergman on January 12, 2005; three sisters, Raphaela Haverkamp on January 31, 2000, Dorothy Hunninghake on April 12, 2011 and Cyrilla Sudbeck on December 23, 2012; and a brother, Callistus Bergman.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Thursday, February 28, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 AM Friday, March 1, at St. Mary’s Church in St. Benedict. Burial will be with military honors in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given for St. Mary’s Church and Cemetery Fund, and sent in care of the family.