Melvin H. Koelzer, 68, of Corning, KS, died Monday, January 1, 2001, shortly after arrival at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca. His death was due to an apparent heart attack.

He was born November 22, 1932, on a farm south of Seneca, the son of Lawrence and Anna Weber Koelzer. He attended St. Patrick’s School and helped on the family farm. In 1955 he entered the U.S. Army where he served in Germany as a message carrier. He was discharged in 1957 and returned to the farm.

On February 7, 1959, he married Gladys Gudenkauf at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. She survives of the home. They farmed west of Corning, raised livestock, and in earlier years, operated a dairy. Melvin was semi-retired and continued to help his son Jerry with the farming.

He was a member of St Patrick’s Church in Corning where he served on the church council and was a lay minister for many years. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus #1769 in Seneca where he helped with bingo. He also helped with bingo at the American Legion in Corning, even though he was not a member. Melvin was a volunteer with the Corning Fire Department for over 20 years and had served as chairman of the Nemaha County Fire District #2 at Corning. He was a past president of the St. Patrick’s School Parent Teacher Organization.

Survivors besides his wife Gladys are a twin son and daughter, Jerald “Jerry” Koelzer of Corning and Jane Halling of Lancaster, KS; a brother, Sylvester Koelzer of Du Bois, NE; four sisters, Rita Eisenbarth of Lee’s Summitt, MO, Lorene Olberding of Baileyville, KS, Ann Broxterman of Silver Lake, KS, and Mary Haverkamp of Seneca; and four grandsons.

Mass of Christian burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday at St. Patrick’s Church in Corning. Burial will be in the church cemetery, with flag presetation by the Arthur L. Mills Post of the American Legion of Corning. Rosaries will be prayed at 2 & 7 PM Tuesday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Patrick’s Church or the Corning Emergency Medical Services, and sent in care of the family.