David Michael Melcher, Sr.

David Michael Melcher pursued a dream by first completing and graduating from Jasper High School in MN. Soon after that he enlisted in the Air Force and was trained at Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, TX and then at Forbes Air Force Base in Topeka, KS. He became an EMT at Forbes and went on many emergency situations which really made him ready for his first big job in his early years and that was to become a fireman for the City of Topeka. He achieved this in a matter of months and was placed at his first Fire Station. Within the next couple of years this guy went from just a fireman to Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief and on January 1997, he made shift commander. He retired on December 13, 1997. He was in many of Topeka's Fire Departments such as: 2, 9, 10, 8, 7, etc. A dream had come true.

David was born on May 14, 1941 to Belle and Albert (Arp) Melcher in Woodstock, MN. He was brought back to a home in Woodstock, MN where he began his life until the age of 2 when the family loaded up the car, took Grandma Melcher with the five of us and began our journey in a little old car with all of our belongings headed for the great state of Oregon. Dad and Mom worked in the logging industry and we lived there for two years before heading back to the Woodstock area. Dad never owned a farm so we moved a lot. We ended up back around the Woodstock area for another year or so before moving to Moody County South Dakota where we lived for five years. Yes, five years before we moved again but we loved our little farm as it was about a quarter mile to the Creek to fish or ice skate. We could jump off bales in the barn and we could just be kids. We moved to a farm five miles east of Jasper and lived there from 1951 till David graduated and then enlisted that same year.

David met Mary Merchant at a Café in Topeka where she was working. The Love Bug bit the two of them almost immediately and it wasn't long and a wedding was planned. To this marriage three children were born: Judy (deceased); Jeannie, David Jr. and his wife Kim; two grandchildren and a number of greats. A sister Marilyn Flanagan, Pipestone, MN and his younger brother Dennis Melcher of Balaton, MN.

He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Alice and many nieces and nephews who love him dearly.

Dave was the "Captain of the Ship" FOR ALL OF Mary's side of the family. He was their advisor, explorer, handy man and a very patient person. He also leaves many nieces and nephews in Minnesota and South Dakota who truly loved it when Uncle David was around them.

His three children put an extra sparkle in both their eyes. Off to ballgames and activities the children were involved in.

David passed away due to Cancer, but he lived every day to the fullest doing things that he loved to do. He enjoyed eating out at Dairy Queen, Golden Corral, I Hop and many other places
David was not only a Fireman but worked on upholstering sofas, chairs, etc., for many years. He was so satisfied with how each piece turned out and it became a true work of art.

He also had a big passion for fishing, camping and golfing. He owned his own boat and loved to spend time out on the lake whether the fish were biting or not. Another passion was golfing. He never quite made a "Hole in One" but very close. It was a pastime he truly enjoyed over the years.

A Funeral Ceremony will be at 1:00 pm., Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at the Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Avenue , Topeka. Interment with military honors will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka. David will Lie In State after 3:00 pm Tuesday, August 27, 2019 at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Red Cross - Topeka 1221 SW 17th Street Topeka, KS 66604, IAFF Local 83 Honor Guard, 318 SE Jefferson St, Topeka, KS 66607 and Jefferson Assembly of God Church 8640 Clark Road Meriden, KS 66512.

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