Surnames: KOPLITZ TAUTGES BLADL NELSON WEILER DABLER SCHINDLER

----Source: TRIBUNE-RECORD-GLEANER (Loyal, Clark Co., Wis.) 08/07/2002

Koplitz, Melvin F. (26 Oct 1929 - 30 Jul 2002)

Melvin F. Koplitz, 72, Mosinee, formerly of the Owen-Withee area, died on Tuesday, July 30, 2002, at the Wausau Hospital, Wausau. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Owen. The Rev. Eric Linzmaier officiated. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Withee. Pallbearers were Paul Bladl Jr., Marcus Koplitz, Dennis Tryva, Alvin Weaver, Fred Schindler Jr., and Zachary Koplitz.

Melvin F. Koplitz was born on Oct. 26, 1929, in the town of Hixon, rural Withee, to Fred and Anna (nee Tautges) Koplitz. He was a 1948 graduate of Withee High School. He worked on the family farm until retiring in April 1999, and moved to Mosinee. At the time of his death, he was employed with American Host of Mosinee as a shuttle bus driver. He also worked for Plautz Construction years earlier. He married Patricia Bladl on Oct. 18, 1958. They later divorced. He was an active member of the Owen-Withee High School Board of Education for more than 20 years. He was a member of National Farmers Organization, Holy Rosary Catholic Church, where he served as an usher and on church committees, Marian Council of the Knights of Columbus, and the Men’s Holy Name Society. His interests included gardening, polka music, dancing, hunting and fishing.

Survivors include two daughters, Rita (Chuck Nelson) Koplitz, Withee, and Ramona (John) Weiler, Owen; six sons, Rick (Kris) Koplitz, Owen, Randy (Arlene) Koplitz, Dugway, Utah, Roger Koplitz, Stevens Point, Rodney (Dawn) Koplitz, Eau Claire, Roy (Jill) Koplitz, Weston, and Ralph (Krisee Gollon) Koplitz, Stevens Point; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Inace Dabler, Salem, Ore., and Celia (Fred) Schindler Sr., Curtiss; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents; one brother, Alfred; and one sister, Lucille.

Maurina Funeral Home, Owen, assisted the family with arrangements.