A Memorial Service for Don Melka, age 87, of Enid, will be 10:00 am, Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church of Medford, Oklahoma. Reverend Randy Mitchell and Reverend David Jenkins will officiate. Burial will follow at 2:00 pm in Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum, Enid, OK. Cremation and funeral service are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Don was born April 20, 1929, at the family home northwest of Medford to Gladys and Louis Melka, and died Saturday, January 14, 2017. He attended school at Prairie View, District 31, and high school in Medford where he graduated in 1947. He attended college at the University of Nebraska and Oklahoma A & M College where he met and married Marilyn Hewlett in 1951. They moved to the family farm in 1952 where he was engaged in wheat farming and ranching until retirement in 1993. He was a member of the American Polled Herford Association. He also was a tax practitioner and life member of the Oklahoma Society of Public Accountants.
He was a member of the Medford School Board for ten years and the Clyde Coop Board for six years, serving both as president. As a member of the First United Methodist Church, he was involved with numerous committees on the local, district, and conference levels. He was Enid District Lay Leader and Enid District President of the Methodist Men. He also was very active in the Lions Club, serving as 3-A District Governor and State Council Chairman and receiving a number of honors including District Lion of the Year and a Melvin Jones Fellow.
Don grew up without the presence of computers. He enjoyed working with and having the availability of technology’s growth throughout his life.
In 2006 Don and Marilyn moved to Enid and made their home at Golden Oaks. They were associate members of Enid’s First United Methodist Church where he was an usher, a member of the GG’s, the TNT Sunday School class, and on the church council.
Surviving are his wife Marilyn; a daughter Terri, of Norman; a daughter-in-law Michelle Nightingale and husband Branden; three granddaughters; Lauren Melka Nightingale, Abbey Melka Nightingale, and Samantha Nightingale; one grandson Isaiah Nightingale, all of Enid; as well as nieces and nephews.
Don is preceded in death by two sons, Ron in 1983, Darin in 2003; his parents, three sisters, and a brother.
Memorials may be made to Medford First United Methodist Church, Enid First United Methodist Church, or the Lions Meadows of Hope with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made and services viewed online at www.ladusuaevans.com.