Melvin F. Ronnebaum, 69, of Holton, Kansas, died Sunday, May 5, 2002, at Eastridge care home in Centralia, Kansas. He had been a patient in the Onaga Community Hospital since March 29 and entered the nursing home on April 22, 2002. He had been in ill health for several years and had major surgery in 1990.

He was born November 17, 1932, one of 10 children of Clemens J. and Anna Strathman Ronnebaum, on a farm east of Seneca, Kansas (northwest of Oneida). He grew up there, attended Victory #99 School, and helped on the family farm.

On June 13, 1956, he married Joan M. Steinlage at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. They lived on the family farm northwest of Oneida until 1959 when they moved to a farm four miles west of Corning. He farmed, raised livestock, and operated a dairy. His wife Joan and son Michael were both killed in a car accident on March 27, 1986. In 1990 he retired due to ill health, and moved to Holton.

He was a member of St. Dominic’s Church in Holton and a former member of St. Patrick’s Church in Corning.

Survivors are five daughters, Carol Stallbaumer and Annette Evans, both of Seneca, Marlene Haverkamp and Gloria Heiman, both of Baileyville, and Rose Mary Sudbeck of Bern; two brothers, Sylvester “Bud” Ronnebaum and Wilfred “Bill” Ronnebaum, both of Seneca; three sisters, Helen Heinen of Seneca, Evelyn Hammes of Topeka, and Florence Deters of Centralia; a friend, Stasia Cochren of Holton; and 13 grandchildren.

Besides his wife and son, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry and Vincent Ronnebaum; a sister Catherine Rettele and an infant sister, Frances.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Patrick’s Church, St. Dominic’s Church, or the Onaga Community Hospital.