Melvin Ralph Meisner was born August 25, 1932, to Albert and Ella (Loesch) Meisner at Herreid, SD. His mother died when he was very young and Albert then married Lena Burke.
Following his graduation from Thomas High School, he moved near Rapid City where he worked and lived at a saw mill. He then went to work for an auto garage in Rapid City where he met Audrey Orr and they were married June 9, 1957. He then worked in the auto parts business for many years until he retired and moved to the family farm near Sturgis, SD. He loved living on and working the farm until he moved in with his daughter in Sturgis because of failing health. They became snowbirds and he purchased a house in Ft. Mohave, AZ, where he would spend winters the last few years.
Melvin enjoyed fishing, hunting, and coaching little league baseball. He loved going to auctions and rummage sales.
Melvin, 86, Sturgis, died Sunday, October 28, 2018, after a long and hard battle with leukemia.
He is survived by his four children, Cindy (Dave) Gehringer, Jim (Renae) Meisner, Linda (Doug) Syman, and David (Rebecca) Meisner; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lila (Leonard) Bachman and Beverly (Dennis) Vandervorste; step-sister-in-law, Barbara Burke; and brother-in-law, Ken (Delores) Zandstra.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-mother; one sister, Betty Zandstra; three step-brothers, Don Burke, Loren Burke, and Roger Burke; and one great-nephew.
Visitation will be Thursday, November 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 2, 2018, at Grace Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Pastor Kris Garlick officiating. Burial will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.
A memorial has been established to the Grace Lutheran Church Radio Broadcast Fund.

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