Loyal Benjamin Melvin, age 84 of La Farge, died on Monday, March 10, 2014. Ben was born on a farm outside of La Farge at the foot of ‘Bodie Hill’, on February 25, 1930, the son of Charlotte Leona (Revels) and Peter Ivan Melvin. Ben joined the Army in 1947. He was stationed in Fort Knox, KY and served in Germany as well as with the Air National Guard at Madison.

Ben worked for Nelson Construction and for Lycon as a driver and sales person. After retirement, he worked for the Middleton School District. Ben enjoyed hunting, trips to Canada, Wyoming and Montana, and taking care of his bees, gardening and helping other people. He was an active member of the church board of the La Farge Free Methodist Church.

Survivors include

His wife Myrtle (Winchel) Melvin of La Farge

His children:

Larry Melvin of Evansville

Phylis (Wayne) Edlebeck of Middleton

Linda (Tim) Rivers of Sheboygan

Darlene (Randy) Spurgeon of Ironton

Stepchildren:

Susan Diny of Elroy

Brian Poff of La Farge

Scott (Sue) Poff of Ontario

Paul (Virgie) Brey Ontario

Many grandchildren and great grandchildren

Sisters:

Leona Dillion of West Prairie

Alice Roberts of Reedsburg

Gloria Braund of Murfreesboro, TN

Brothers:

Ronald (Mary) Melvin of Madison

Donald (Barbara) Melvin, of La Farge Sisters and brothers in law:

Mary (Jim) Parkhurst of Elroy, WI

Harold Winchel of Hillsboro

Frank Winchel of Elroy

Many nieces and nephews

Ben was preceded in death by his first wife Janet L. (Cooper) Melvin; brothers: Winfield Scott Melvin, Eddie Willie Roberts, Jimmie Lee Roberts; sisters: Betty Lou Vaughan and Joyce Marie Melvin; brothers in law: Earl ‘Unc’ Vaughan, Merle A. Krugel and John Dillion; sister in law Barbara A. (Meyer) Melvin; and nephews: Todd L. Melvin and Troy Allen Braund.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 14, 2014 at the La Farge Free Methodist Church, 214 South Cherry St 54639. Pastor Mark Phillips will officiate. Burial will be in the Highland Memory Gardens in Madison at 2:45. Friends may call at the La Farge Free Methodist Church on Thursday, March 13, 2014 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM or on Friday from 10:00 AM until service time at 11:00. The Seland Huston Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at prattfuneralservice.com