Melvin Lee Weber

Friday, October 19, 2007

Nov. 11, 1932-Oct. 19, 2007

ARAPAHOE â€" Melvin Lee Weber, 74, died Friday (Oct. 19, 2007), at his home north of Arapahoe.

He was born Nov. 11, 1932, in Gosper County, to Herman and Marie (Ritschel) Weber.

He was baptized, educated and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church north of Arapahoe. He graduated from Arapahoe High School in 1950.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served 18 months in Guam. He was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge and took two cruises to the Orient and served off of the Korean coast during the Korean War. After four years in the Navy he moved to Hastings, then returned home to farm.

In 1962, he married Cathleen Cox Hanson in Arapahoe. Together they raised two children and a foreign exchange student, Flabio Schiavon. They lived and farmed north of Arapahoe for more than 40 years. He left farming and drove truck for Weverka Sand & Gravel and Ag Valley Coop in Arapahoe.

He was a member and served as commander of Arapahoe American Legion Post No. 83 and was a member and served as Senior Warden of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Arapahoe.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Lieta Koch and Elsie Koch; and three brothers, Harold, Heinz and Leon Weber.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy Weber of Arapahoe; two daughters, Jane Hanson of Iowa City, Iowa, and Ann and husband, Raymond Kansier of Lincoln; one brother, Arnold Weber of North Platte; a sister, Walberga Brown of Hastings; foreign exchange son, Flabio Schiavon and wife, Vanessa of Curitiba, Brazil; and five grandchildren.

Funeral services are Monday, 10:30 a.m., at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Arapahoe with the Rev. Jami Anderson officiating. Interment will be at the Arapahoe Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the American Legion Post No. 96.

Viewing and visitation is Sunday, 1-8 p.m., at Wenburg Funeral Home in Arapahoe. The casket will not be open at the church.

Condolences and personal reflections can be left online at www.wenburgfuneralhome.com

Memorials are suggested to the Furnas-Gosper County Museum of Arapahoe.

Wenburg Funeral Home of Arapahoe is in charge of arrangements.