George Melber, Jr.
May 25, 1925 ~ February 14, 2022
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George Melber, Jr., 96, of St. Lawrence, passed away Monday, February 14, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society in Miller, South Dakota.
Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 19, 2022, at the Community Church of St. Lawrence. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. Private burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery, Miller.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be directed to the Miller School System Elementary Teachers Fund.
George Melber, Jr. was born at home on May 25, 1925, about 18 miles north of Miller, South Dakota to George and Ursula (Lieske) Melber. George’s siblings included: Rosine Emma (Mrs. Phillip Schwartz), Frederica Ursula (Mrs. Evertt Porter), Lloyd George (married to Marjorie Ferris), Mary Adeline (Mrs. Vernon Estes), Elsie Dora (Mrs. Charles Love), a brother who died at birth, Louise Fern (Mrs. Homer Reddix), Eva Lillian (Mrs. Alvin Nissen), and Arlene Ruth (Mrs. Robert Templeton).
The family moved north of St. Lawrence when George was 4 years old, and he lived on that farm and cultivated the land for the next 91 years until he retired in 2021. George went to country grade school a half mile south of the farm and then attended high school in St. Lawrence, where he graduated in 1943.
George worked for different farmers, and then, in 1946, started to farm on his own, renting a quarter of land from Doc McWhorter. He married Nancy Mae Johnson in 1951, and in 1952, Penny Rae was born. After Nancy died in 1962, he married Donna Marie Campbell and Barbara Ann was born in 1965.
George taught Sunday School at the Community Church of St. Lawrence for many years. He really enjoyed having first graders read to him at the Miller Public Schools. The South Dakota Education Association honored George and Donna with a Friends of Education Award, and the Associated School Boards of South Dakota honored them with a Community Service Award.
In 2015, Miller High School inducted George and Donna into the Athletic Hall of Fame for their contributions to school programs. George served as Hand County Commissioner, on the Rural Electric Board, and on many different church committees. He lived his faith in everything he did. He enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, fellowship, and, most of all, farming.
George is survived by his daughter; Penny (Gary) Sparks, grandson, Lance (Toni), and their children: George and Victor; daughter, Barbara (Mark) Vargo, and grandsons: Alex, Barry, and John; and many nieces and nephews.
George was preceded in death by his wives, Nancy in 1962 and Donna in 2020; and his parents.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with George's arrangements.
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My sincere sympathy to the family of George Melber.
My sympathy is extended to George's family. He spoke fondly of you, and I know you all will miss him.
Sorry for you loss.
Our Deepest Sympathy
Dr. Dick and Kathy Splichal
Always enjoyed seeing -visiting with George/Donna at the STLHS All-School Reunions! He will be dearly missed.
Deepest condolences to all of Melber family. George was a great man and friend to all who knew him. We are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless!!
George will be missed. What a legacy he leaves to all that he mentored.
My dear Friend and mentor will be missed by many. Great memories and conversations about farming, pheasant hunting and faith.
My sympathy is extended to George's family. He was a loving family farmer.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to George's family and many friends. I will always remember George as the wonderful kind helpful person he was.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Our deepest sympathy to the Melber family. George will be greatly missed.
Thinking of Penny and Barbara and your families. Your Dad was GREAT – that is as direct and accurate as I can say it! May God's love and peace surround and comfort you at this time.
George made me smile everytime I talked to him. He always had a kind words or funny comment to add to the conversation. Always the optimist, he never lost his sunny disposition even after his sight left him. I'll always remember George in his dining room, sharing a meal, and on the farm for a family reunion. He has a special place in my memories and I'm so glad that I was lucky enough to be a part of his story. With love, Nicole
My condolences to your family. George will missed by so many. My children looked to him as a second grandfather and loved visiting George and Donna whenever we were in Miller. He was a great man!
Dear George,
In your time here, you poured love and light into your family, into your community, and into the earth you stood on and tilled. This world is better for having had you in it, and I am grateful and humbled for the opportunity to meet you. Nothing can replace the hole you leave behind, and nothing should. May you find peace eternal in the life beyond.
Love always,
Olga
Our deepest sympathy to George's family. George was a great gentleman, I came to know Donna and George truly great people, so glad I got to know them.
Darrell's 1st employer. We always stop to say hello when coming home but this time they are both home with Jesus. I remember the meals together after a day of work especially when I was leaving for SDSU for my pre med pharmacist training as undergrad. Barbara looks at George and says dad why do you have to pay Darrell if he is going to school to learn to be a farm assist? We laughed at this every visit. They were so proud of Penny and Barbara, the grandchildren and always updated us on Bob and Kim. My wife Patricia and daughter Nazare and son Deandre loved the visits. Blessings to the families.