Melvin W. Kegel, 82, of Hartford, Wisconsin passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 21, 2021. Beloved husband of Ruth Kegel (nee Geil). Loving father of Debra (Mark) Hagen, Denise (Eric) Schuppert and Laura (Roger) Romens. Caring grandfather of Melissa Hagen, Adrienne (Drew) Willis, Anthony Romens and Rachel Romens. Great grandfather of Maranda, Makenzie and Aspen. Also survived by nephew, George Coulter. He will be missed deeply by many other family and friends.
Preceded in death by his parents, Elroy and Louise (nee Bandlow) Kegel; his sister, Carol Coulter.
Melvin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He graduated from Washington High School. By trade, he was a Journeyman Lithographer with Delzer Lithograph Company located in Waukesha, Wisconsin for over 30 years.
Melvin served God through his service to our Country. He was a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran. He continued to serve our Country as a Tech Sergeant with the Air National Guard, 128th Refueling Division for 30 years. Melvin became a member of the American Legion Post #1 in his retirement.
Family was the foundation from which Melvin built his life. His family motivated him to work hard and give selflessly to his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed many family gatherings and vacations though the years. These fond memories will forever leave an imprint on the hearts of all of his family members.
Although Melvin was “always working”, he had a passion for the great outdoors. In 1979, he became the State Record Holder for catching the largest Brown Trout, 32.8 pounds, offshore at Doctors Park located in Fox Point, Wisconsin. Melvin enjoyed the annual deer hunting season in Northern Wisconsin with family and an elk hunting excursion in Wyoming with church members.
Melvin was compassionate and tender-hearted. Throughout his life, this was evident by the love and kindness he exchanged with many family pets ranging from dogs, cats, horses and birds. In his final hours, he reminisced about playing fetch with the family dog, Sammi. It brought a laugh from his belly and a tear to his eye.
In lieu of flowers, memorials/donations in honor of Melvin can be made to United States War Dogs Association, Inc. https://www.uswardogs.org/donations.
Visitation at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 13235 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Friday, December 3, 2021, from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Funeral Service at 2:00 PM. Horse-drawn carriage to the Burial with military honors immediately following.