Melvin C. 'Mel' Wichelman , 90, of Cold Spring and formerly of Gibbon, died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 at his home. Melvin was born on October 24, 1914.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m., Friday, Sept. 30, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon with burial in the St. Willibrord's Catholic Cemetery in Gibbon. Pastor Richard J. Kuckhahn will officiate. Full military honors will be conducted at the cemetery by the New Ulm Veterans Organizations.
Caseket Bearers included: George Schweiss, Wayne Bulau, LuVerne Kent, Dennis Woods, Doug Kramer.
Listen to Mel Wichelman Funeral Audio File (36 MBF)
Visitation will be one hour prior to the time of service at church on Friday. The Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm will be handling the arrangements.
Melvin Christian Wichelman, a lifelong member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Gibbon was born October 24, 1914, in Gibbon, to Frederick and Anna (Buerkle) Wichelman. He married Leona Dording on June 28, 1946, at the St. Andrew's parsonage in Fairfax. They were married for 55 years prior to Leona's death on June 13, 2001.
Mel enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 20, 1942, serving in New Guinea, Philippines, and Japan. Mel was a member of the 516th Ordinance HM FA serving in New Guinea and Southern Philippines liberation. He received the American Theater Liberation Service Ribbon; Asiatic/Pacific theater Ribbon; Philippines Liberation Ribbon with a Bronze Star; Good Conduct Medal, Three Overseas Bars, and was certified as a Rifle MKM and Carbine expert.
His continental duty of 1 year, six months, 2 days was served at Aberdeen, Maryland proving grounds and Camp Adair, Oregon. Foreign service duty of 1 year, 8 months, 28 days was served in New Guinea, Manila, Philippines, Tokyo and Yokahama, Japan. His service separation was from Camp McCoy, California on January 12, 1946.
After the war, Mel was employed in partnership with his father, Fred Wichelman & Son in Gibbon. Later he founded Gibbon Realty; established a Weimaraner dog kennel, selling dogs to customers both stateside and abroad. He served on the Sibley County Board of Commissioners from 1968-1984. After his retirement, he took residence in Sartell and Cold Spring. Mel remained active, enjoying wildlife, the outdoors and plants, including orchids and hibiscus.
Mel's Flat Tire in Cold Spring Story (VIDEO)
He was preceded in death by his wife, Leona on June 13, 2001; his parents; and sisters, Irma, Corrine, Lenora, Irene, and Elvira.
Surviving are his brother, Dr. Delbert (Betty) Wichelman of Oakland, California; sister, Elaine (Dr. Donald) Mason of Novato, California; granddaughter, Marisa 0. Wichelman of Pacifica, California-; a son, Allan F. Wichelman of Bangkok, Thailand; and by nieces and nephews.
My Life's Journey
by Melvin Wichelmen
Came in this world for my first sight
Had tender love from morn to night
Saw natures colors and earth's life
A world of peace and not of strife.
I lived the world and randomed life
I loved the world, my son and wife
For duty, work and all my right
The strength of God was all my might.
I've been on ship to distant shore
I've driven miles and flown to soar
I've hunted woods and fished the lakes
I've suffered pain and time heal takes.
I've needed much in life to pray
I've had good friends to say Good Day
I've called on God to hear my prayer
I've lived the cold, the sun warmed air.
I now must tread life's memory lane
That certain path with no disdain
Angelic nightingales to lead my way
Reaching golden dawn on Promised Day.
Composed by Mel on February 9th, 1998
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