Melvin (Mel) E. Deselms

Melvin (Mel) E. Deselms

Jan. 24, 1944 - April 30, 2015

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. -- Melvin (Mel) E. Deselms, the youngest child of Ivan and Agnes (Rhoades) Deselms, was born at the family home southeast of Cambridge, Nebraska, on Jan. 24, 1944. He departed this life at the Good Samaritan Society in Arapahoe, Nebraska, on April 30, 2015, with his wife, Diane and his daughter, Darcy at his side.

Memorial services will be Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at 4 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church in Cambridge, Nebraska. A private family inurnment will be at the Fairview cemetary in Cambridge.

He attended rural elementary school and graduated from Holbrook High School in 1962. He earned a bachelor of arts degree from Kearney State College in 1966.

He married DiAnna Bantam on July 31, 1966. To this union a daughter, Darcy Lee, was born. On Feb. 6, 1982, he was united in marriage to Diane K. Wilken. They recently celebrated their 33rd anniversary.

Following college graduation, he taught and coached at Wood River Rural High School. In July 1970, Mel had the opportunity to begin his banking career as a loan officer at The First National Bank in Cambridge, Nebraska. In 1981, he and his business partners, Eric Eisenhart and Bill Shoemaker, acquired ownership of the The First National Bank in Cambridge. Mel served in the capacity of President and C.E.O. of the board. Due to declining health, Mel resigned from his positons and maintained the title of President Emeritus until the sale of the bank in 2012.

Mel was a community leader and an advocate for progressive growth in Cambridge. He was a member of several community organizations and served as president of the Chamber of Commerce and was a founding member of the Cambridge Economic Development Committee.

Mel was an avid outdoorsman and a true lover of nature. He was happiest when he was doing something outdoors, whether it was golfing, hunting, yardwork, or attending Husker football games. He also enjoyed supporting the Pheasants Forever Youth Mentor program and served as a mentor in past years.

In later years, Mel could be found at "The Ranch" on his John Deere tractor, mowing, planting, or watering the trees and shrubs he planted there to develop habitat for wild game. Nothing pleased him more than to learn of a young hunter shooting their first turkey there or of a successful deer hunt.

As his health declined, his activities became limited. He and Diane were able to travel extensively with their fifth wheel trailer and he enjoyed spending winters in Texas. His joy in life was spending time with his family and friends.

Mel was a lifetime member of Pheasants Forever, the NRA, Lions Club International and South Platte United Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Cambridge.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Virginia; his in-laws, Elmer and Lucille Wilken; and a brother-in-law, Norman Chambers.

He is survived by his wife, Diane; his daughter, Darcy Johnson and husband, David of Cambridge; grandsons, Vance and Avery; sisters, Lola Moseley and husband, Kendall of Bertrand and Margaret Chambers of Holbrook, and numerous relatives and friends. He also leaves behind his beloved canine companion, Buddy.

Memorials may be addressed in Mel's name or to the Pheasants Forever Youth Mentor program and may be left at Lockenour/Jones Mortuary. Online condolences may be left at lockenour.com.

Lockenour-Jones Morturary in Cambridge is in charge of arrangements.