Melvin J. Hasenkamp, 75, of Centralia, KS, died Thursday, December 13, 2007 at the St. Francis Hospital in Topeka.

Melvin was born August 18, 1932, on a farm near St. Benedict, KS, the son of Charles and Rose C. Wichman Hasenkamp. In 1939, the family moved to a farm east of Seneca and then in 1941, when Melvin was 10 years old, the family moved to a farm south of Centralia in the Coal Creek area. Melvin helped on the family farm, and attended a country school south of Centralia, graduating from the eighth grade. He continued working on the family farm until joining the U.S. Air Force. After completing his service, he moved to Topeka and was employed by Conroy Construction Company until 1959, when he returned to farming near Coal Creek.

On August 29, 1959, he married Phyllis Minihan at St. Columbkille Church in Blaine, KS. They farmed together over the past 48 years.

Melvin was a member of Sts. Patrick’s Church in Corning and Centralia’s American Legion Post. He enjoyed the farming life and being a grandfather.

Survivors include his wife Phyllis of the home; a son, Dan Hasenkamp of Centralia; two daughters, Deb Heideman of Topeka and Diane Haug of Manhattan; five sisters, Ruth Hasenkamp of Kansas City , MO, Laura Skane of Cave Creek, AZ, Mary Jane Neill of Kansas City, MO, Leta Putney of Fairfax, NY, and Dorothy Morris of Sheldon, MO; two brothers, Donald of Holton and Father Robert of LeCompton; and 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three sons, Mark, Richard, and Stephen; two brothers, Paul and Charles; and three sisters, Evelyn Mauton, Marjorie Mauton, and Irene Hasenkamp.

Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Friday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 AM Saturday at St. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be at St. Patrick’s Church Cemetery in Coal Creek.

Memorials may be given in Melvin’s name for the American Lung Association.