Obit: Dux, Melvin (1928 - 2011)

Contact: Stan
Email: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Dux, Nemitz, Schaefer, Meier, Schultz

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 05/11/2011

Dux, Melvin (25 APR 1928 - 9 MAY 2011)

NEILLSVILLE -- Melvin Dux, 83, of Neillsville, died Monday, May 9, 2011, at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield.

Melvin August Dux was born April 25, 1928, on the home farm in Pine Valley Township, Clark County, the son of Albert and Alma (Nemitz) Dux. He attended Hillside School in Pine Valley Township for six years and then attended St. John's Lutheran School in Neillsville for two years and graduated from Neillsville High School in 1945.

He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force on April 25, 1952, and served as a chaplain's assistant and was stationed in Texas, Oklahoma and New York for schooling and served at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Neb. He was united in marriage to Ina Mae Schaefer on Sept. 12, 1953, in Omaha, Neb., at First Lutheran Church. Melvin was honorably discharged from the Air Force on May 16, 1954, and returned home with his wife to the family farm, where they lived upstairs.

They moved into Neillsville in April 1956 and lived on Ninth Street and also Grand Avenue. During this time, Melvin continued to farm and during the winter months he also worked at a sawmill near Augusta. His father died in 1960, so he and Ina Mae moved back to the farm, which they then purchased July 1, 1960. Melvin sold his cows March 14, 1989, but continued to farm the land. For the past 20 years, he traveled the countryside selling Dairyland Seed.

Melvin was a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. He was baptized there May 20, 1928, confirmed there June 1, 1941, and served on the church council numerous times.

He was a member of the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post 73 in Neillsville and served on the Military Honor Guard. He and Ina Mae also regularly worked the Friday night fish fry at the Legion. Melvin volunteered as a porch greeter at The Highground and also helped to get the tribute to the Korean War started. He was a committee man for the ASCS, now known as the Farm Service Agency (FSA). He was a member of the Hitchhiker's International Club-Northwood Country Club, and he also helped deliver Meals-on-Wheels for many years.

Melvin's hobbies included his cows, camping and storytelling.

He is survived by his wife, Ina Mae; siblings, Everett (Angie) Dux and Marie (Clarence) Meier, both of Neillsville, and Norman (Carol) Dux of Wausau; many nieces and nephews; and a very good friend, Robert Schultz of Neillsville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Irene Meier; and three nephews, Michael, Gerald and Bobby Meier.

A memorial service for Melvin will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 13, 2011, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neillsville. Pastor Timothy Biebert will officiate. Music will be provided by Sharon Nemitz, organist, and Dan and Bunny Dux, vocalists. Interment will be in the North Pine Valley Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Neillsville Veteran's Council. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 711 W. Fifth St., Neillsville, WI 54456; or the Haugen-Richmond American Legion Post 73, 6 Boon Blvd., Neillsville, WI 54456.

Visit www.GescheFH.com to express your condolences.

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Melvin's family with funeral arrangements.