 |
Meletus “Mel” Edward Warnecke, 88, of Lima, formerly of Lakeview, passed away Thursday evening, March 2, 2017, at Wyngate Senior Living Community, Lima.
Mel was born Sept. 30, 1928, in Kalida to the late Joseph and Rose Ellerbrock Warnecke. He was preceded in death by siblings and their spouses, Norma and Jim Schroeder, Alma and Alysius Niese, Alvin “Dick” and Ruth Warnecke and Leon Warnecke; and in-laws, Carl Webken, Hubert Elwer, Dolores and Joseph Ruhe and William and Rose Hellman.
On April 16, 1955, he married his wife of almost 62 years, Catherine V. “Kate” Hellman at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ft. Jennings, and she survives along with six children, Theresa (Michael) O’Laughlin of Greensboro, N.C., Mary (Don) Kuba of DeGraff, Patricia (Mike Wollett) Swiger of Columbus, Virginia (Joseph) Leahy of Madison, Ala., Edward (Deborah) Warnecke of Lewistown and Angela (William) Amato of Avon; 12 grandchildren, Katie (John) McCabe, Adam (Jessica) Bergman, Ryan (Karen) O’Laughlin, Sarah (Jeremiah) Perkins, Keith Leahy, Stephen Leahy, Jacob Amato, Ben Amato, Nick Amato, Clark (Lucy) LeVan, Holly (Matt) Whitaker and Kelly (Kurt) Sellers; 11 great-grandchildren, AJ Bergman, Gunner Bergman, Luke LeVan, Carter LeVan, John Michael McCabe, Jacob McCabe, Clay Whitaker, Adalyn Whitaker, Bryson Whitaker, Logan Sellers and Alex Perkins; a sister, Marietta “Mae” Webken of Kalida; and many nieces and nephews.
Mel attended Columbus Grove High School and was a veteran of the United States Army, stationed in Hawaii and Alaska. He was a lifelong farmer and a member of St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, Russells Point, where he was a volunteer lector and sang in the choir. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Father Anthony Wolf 4378 in Russells Point, Doyle L Miller AMVETS Post 39, Indian Lake Eagles Aerie 3615 and Indian Lake Moose Lodge 1533, all of Lakeview.
Mel enjoyed traveling with Kate, especially their trip to London and Rome, playing cards, watching sports and movies on TV. He was a devoted father and husband and will be greatly missed. His family would like to thank the staff of Wyngate for their loving care and dedicated service.
Father Shawn Landenwitch begins a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, 464 Madison Ave., Russells Point. Visitation is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, March 6, at Shoffstall Funeral Home, 205 S. Main St., Lakeview, with prayers beginning at 1:45 p.m., and at the church one hour prior to services. Burial is in Huntsville Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given in his name to St. Mary of the Woods and St. Vincent DePaul Society.
Condolences may be expressed at shoffstallfuneralhome.com.