WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Melvin Gerald Scheske, age 76, of Sturgis, Mich., passed away unexpectedly early Saturday evening, Nov. 14, 2009, at St. Mary’s of Michigan Hospital in Saginaw, Mich.
He was born July 26, 1933, in Detroit, a son of the late Edward and Linda (Meggert) Scheske.
Mel had resided in Sturgis since 1969 coming from Southfield, Michigan.
He married Rita Christian in Detroit.
His formal education began at Nazareth Lutheran School in Detroit and he graduated from Alpena High School with the class of 1951. Following his graduation from high school he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp serving during the Korean War from 1952-1955. Upon his return from the Marine Corp he enrolled at Wayne State University in Detroit receiving his bachelor of science degree in 1959.
His working career began with Arthur Andersen & Co. where he became a Certified Public Accountant in 1961. He later assumed the position of controller at the Birmingham Eccentric News and in 1969 he joined the Kirsch Company in Sturgis as its chief financial officer a position he held until his retirement in 1991. Following his retirement, he established a tax accounting service that he was currently operating.
Mel was a very active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis where he had served as president, treasurer, usher and greeter. Prior to that he had taught Sunday school in inner-city Detroit. He was a longtime member of the Sturgis Kiwanis Club where he had served as treasurer for many years and was a member of B.P.O.Elks #1381. He was a past member of the First National Bank, Citizens Bank, Glen Oaks Foundation, Sturgis Hospital and Junior Achievement Board of Directors. Mel was the very proud sponsor of the Scheske Open which was founded in 1977.
He is survived by his loving wife, Rita; four sons, Terence (Julia) Scheske of Tupelo, Miss., Ronald (Beth) Scheske of Sturgis, Dean (Peg) Scheske of Canton and Eric (Marie) Scheske of Sturgis; 18 grandchildren, Laura, Greg, Pam, Matthew (Melissa), Brett, Kate, Dan, Christian, Nicholas, Rachel, Alex, Abbie, Jack, Michael, Meg, Erin, Therese and Max; one great-grandson, Andrew; one brother, Vernon (Jan) Scheske of Waco, Texas, and several nieces and nephews.
His parents and two brothers, Alvin Scheske and Eldon Scheske preceded him in death.
The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Rosenberg Chapel, 807 E. Chicago Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091, (269) 651-2331. Funeral services celebrating the life of Melvin Scheske will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Michael Klafehn and the Rev. Calvin Kolzow will officiate. A graveside committal will follow the service at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial donation in Mr. Scheske’s memory be directed to the Trinity Lutheran Church, 406 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or the Bethesda Lutheran Homes 600 Hoffman Dr., Watertown, WI 53094.
