Melvin Gengler

Melvin Henry Gengler was called to his eternal home on April 23, 2009, at the home of his nephew Erick Kadel, of Beloit, Kansas
Melvin was born March 14, 1927, to Felix and Gertrude Wessling Gengler on a farm near Tipton, Kansas. A few months later, the family moved to a farm north of Beloit. Melvin received an 8th grade education from the "Plum Creek University" as he so lovingly called it. Melvin was a staunch believer in hard work and continued to help on the family farm until he decided to branch out on his own. At that time he started his cattle operation and was involved in custom wheat harvesting, traveling both south and north for the cutting season. He had his own harvest crews for 31 years beginning in 1947 and ending in 1978.
Melvin took very little time out for self indulgence as far as enjoyment was concerned. He did make a trip to Germany and was able to visit some of the regions where his ancestors had lived and were buried. It was a trip he had always wanted to make.
Melvin was known for his ingenuity and foresight. He worked diligently on plans to improve the production of some of his farm machinery. He received a patent for a tree cutter that he designed and built. He received two conservation awards for windbreaks and soil conservation. He was a member of the Farmers Union and was also a 4th Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus of which he was very proud. He was a life long member of St. John's Catholic Church and served as a Eucharistic Minister. He established the Melvin Gengler Altar Server Scholarship. He contributed to the St. John's Memorial Trust Fund as well as the Cornerstone Charitable Foundation.
Melvin kept very much informed on local, state, and world events. He was interested in the political scene and kept abreast of what the politicians were saying and how they were voting, offering his share of criticism when he felt it was called for.
Melvin's family will be forever grateful to Buffy Waddell and Erick Kadel for all the constant and loving care given to him during his illness. Melvin played a big part in Buffy's journey of embracing the Catholic faith.
He is preceded in death by his mother Gertrude and his father Felix; brothers, Harold, Raymond, and Walt; and his sisters, Dorothy and Christine Kadel. He is survived by his brother Bob and his wife Lois; sisters Helen Moxter and her husband Lawrence, Mary Lange and her husband Jim; sister-in-law Rita Engel; 36 nieces and nephews; and many friends who, although not related, referred to him as "Uncle Melvin".
Melvin loved the land and cared deeply for family, church, and God. The motto he tried to live by was "leave it better than you receive it", and he has done just that. We have all been touched by his conviction and generosity in one way or another, and his legacy shall remain for generations to come.

A funeral mass will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, April 25, 2009 at the St. John's Catholic Church followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM Friday at McDonald Funeral Home. A parish vigil will be at 7:00 PM Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the St. John's Catholic Church.