~~ Melvin L. Pike, 72, passed away in Wheaton Franciscan Hospital-All Saints, on Sunday, July 5, 2015. He was born in Oketo, KS, on June 23, 1943, the son of the late Clyde and Ruby (nee: Goins) Pike.
Melvin graduated from Barneston High School, Barneston, NE, in 1961, and right after graduation he joined the U.S. Navy. He retired from the Navy in 1963 following and injury which resulted in the loss of a leg. Upon his return home, Melvin enrolled in Fairbury Junior College, in Fairbury, NE. He graduated from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, in 1968. Melvin taught Business Education at J.I. Case High School for over 31 years, retiring in 1999. He enjoyed teaching, loved his students, and looked forward to every single day he taught. He remains close friends with several of his former students. Melvin was a member of the Racine Area Retired Educators Association, the Milwaukee branch of the Fleet Reserve Association, the Eagles Nest at the Armed Forces Center, in Racine, and a Life Member of the Nebraska American Legion Post 25. He enjoyed wood working and refinishing furniture. He loved to repair and rehab things and was always game to help friends with their projects. He dubbed himself CEO of his “pseudo company” jokingly referred to as American Door and Screen.
Melvin is survived by three sisters, Dorothy Cook, of Oketo, KS, Shirley (Jerry) Weise, of Ft. Collins, CO, and Sharon (John) Keedy, of Wymore, NE; two brothers, Robert Pike, of Cheyenne, WY, and Milton “Mike” (Kay) Pike of Wymore, NE; sister-in-law, Jeanne Pike, of Wymore, NE, and his former wife and caring friend, Mary Dorais, of Racine. His nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends also survive him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Judy (nee: Bretthauer) Pike; sister, Betty Tarvin Sauvage; brother, Ronald Pike, and two brothers-in-law, George Cook and Frank Tarvin.
In keeping with Melvin’s direction, cremation will take place. A memorial service will be scheduled for some time in August, and will be announced at a later date. Memorials can be directed to Mary Dorais to establish a scholarship in Mel’s name, or to the American Legion Post 25, in Wymore, NE.
A special thanks to the entire staff at Boland Hall of the Wisconsin Veterans Home-Union Grove for the care and support shown Mel over the past years
Maury and Sheila Blada says
Mel will be missed. We have many fond memories.
Sincere condolences.
Maury and Sheila Blada
Serena Jones says
I am so sorry for your lost.
Mel was like a grandfather to me. He always smiled when I came in after work. I will miss him dearly. Rest in Peace Mel.
Jay & Barb Newell says
Mel and I go back to 1970 When I started work at J. I. Case High School as the Vocational Counselor. Before that I was a business teacher in Indiana. I felt like Mel and all of the other Business Teachers at Case accepted me. I have many fond memories of Mel including seeing him recently at the VA Hospital in Milwaukee. RIP Mel.
Russell Kiekhefer says
I knew Mr. Pike as a great teacher and mentor. He taught us how to learn and have fun at the same time. He was one of a kind, and he will be missed.
Colleen Geraghty says
Very sorry for you loss and was so saddened to hear the news.
I didn’t have Mr. Pike as a student at Case but I knew him because he was so popular with all the students. Then I ran into him at the VA in Union Grove shortly after he got there and got to know him and reminisced about the years I was in school. I visited him almost every weekend after my dads visit. I will truly miss him. I’m so happy and feel so fortunate that I was able to spend time with him though. I will never forget him.
Jeff & Connie Tarvin says
Uncle Mel was always good to our family and was always a lot of fun to be around. We know in our hearts that Uncle Melvin will be taken care by our good lord.