Melvin W. Junge

Melvin W. Junge, age 85 died Wednesday, April 20 at the Napoleon Lutheran Home surrounded by loved ones. He was born on June 29, 1925 in Hamler, Ohio to the late August and Marie (Fintel) Junge. In June 1946, he married Miriam Lazenby who survives.

Those who knew Mel often heard him express how proud he was to have served on board the destroyer, the USS Cony DD508 while in the United States Navy in the South Pacific and he was equally proud to have participated in various naval battles including the Philippine Liberation Campaign which included the Battle of Leyte Gulf during World II.

He joined his father in the operation of the Hamler Produce Co, a poultry and egg business, moving to Holgate, Ohio in 1948 to manage the Holgate Branch. Between 1949-1979, he was the owner of the Holgate Produce Company and the M. W. Junge & Sons Poultry, Egg & Transportation Services.

A Life Member and a Past Commander of the Wm. F. Helmke American Legion Post 340 in Holgate, Ohio, he also served in various Post and District Offices and was a member of the Holgate American Legion Drill Team who often participated in local parades and in district and state competitions.

He was a Past President of the Holgate Chamber of Commerce, served on the Library and Water Boards, and was a member of Gideon's International and St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Holgate, Ohio serving several terms on the Church Council and over 25 years as a Sunday School teacher prior to moving to Indianapolis in 1978.

In 1980, he joined the American Art Clay Co. Inc., serving the majority of his tenure with the Reward Ceramic Color National and International Sales Division and had responsibility for Trade Shows throughout the country until his retirement in 2002.

Since returning to Ohio in August 2002, he has continued his involvement with several local organizations and community events as well as the church where he served on the St. Peter's Lutheran Church Council and on the Vision Discovery Action Committee which was responsible for the construction of the new church and the Witness & Support Committee...

Survivors also include children, Roger (Sue) Junge of New Bavaria, OH, James (Beverly) Junge of Holgate, OH, Mary Ann (Doug) Kruse of Indianapolis, and Thomas (Tammy) Junge of Spring Lake, MI. Grandchildren: Christopher (Joanne) Junge of Napoleon, Todd (Melany) Junge, Holgate, OH; Jennifer (Russ) Reed and Jeffery (Kelly) Kruse both of Indianapolis, Kenneth (Jackie) Junge, Leesburg, VA; Gwendolyn (Sean) Hanley, Versailles, KY; Dr. Karen (John) Naymik, Columbus, OH; Jessica (Josh) Barry, Plantation, FL; Ryan Junge, CA; Stefanie Cooper, Chicago and Nichole & Lauren Junge of Spring Lake, MI. Great-grandchildren: Cameron & Kellen Reed and Jake & Jalen Kruse, Indianapolis; Kyla, Nora & Audrey Hanley, Versailles, KY; Avery Naymik of Columbus, OH; Calvin Junge, Napoleon, OH and a niece, Karen Bryant of Twinsburg, Oh.

His parents, a sister, June Imbrock and an infant sister and brother preceded him in death.

Celebration of Life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2011 at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Holgate with Pastor Tamara Wood officiating. Interment will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery in Napoleon with military rites by the William F. Helmke American Legion Post #340, the New Bavaria VFW and AMVETS.

Visitation will be held from 2-8 p.m. on Friday at the Zachrich Funeral Home in Holgate and from 9:30 - 10:30 am on Saturday at the church prior to services.

Family suggests memorials to the Wm. F. Helmke American Legion Post #340 Building Fund, Gideon's International Henry County Camp, and Hospice of Henry County or to The Napoleon Lutheran Home.