Melvin J. Zurbuchen, Janesville  (1930 - 2012)

February 5, 1930 - April 23, 2012
Melvin J. Zurbuchen, age 82, of Janesville, died on Monday, April 23, 2012, at Mercy Hospital & Trauma Center. He was born in Hustisford, WI, on Feb. 5, 1930, the son of Gottfried and Anna Zurbuchen. Melvin served in the U.S. Air Force after WWII from 1946 to 1948 as an aerial photographer. He married Eunice Evers on Nov. 14, 1948, in Denver, CO, and she preceded him in death on July 1, 1998. He married Shari (Hebbe) Clark on June 2, 2000, at St. John Lutheran Church, Janesville. He had been employed as a cheese maker for eight years and later by W.R. Arthur for eight years, Dahlen Trucking Company for 30 years, J & J Transport Co., and after his retirement as a shuttle driver for Frank Boucher. He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, EAA, Antique Aircraft Association and the VFW Post 1621. He was an avid traveler and enjoyed aviation.
He is survived by his wife, Shari Zurbuchen; four children: Steven (Gary Denota) Zurbuchen of Superior, CO, Linda (Ronald) Manske of Roscoe, IL, Christine (Dean) Bladorn of Janesville, and Karen (Matthew) Staight of Ft. Wayne, IN; seven grandchildren: Nicole (Ryan) Briscoe, Christopher Bladorn, Aaron Bladorn, Ryan Bladorn, Tyler Manske, Morgan McGinniss and Adam Bladorn; three step daughters: Shelley (Doug) DeWitt of Janesville, Shawn (Jeff) Patterson of Ft. Wayne, and Charise (Mike) Dunn of Sun Prairie; seven step grandchildren: Zachary DeWitt, Lucas DeWitt, Noah Patterson, Samuel Dunn, Dylan Patterson, Kari DeWitt and Macey Dunn; and two brothers, Ewald (Florence) Zurbuchen of Bradenton, FL, and Fred (Betty) Zurbuchen of Waupun, WI. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife; and sister, Martha Byer.
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at ST. JOHN LUTHERAN CHURCH, with Rev. Bond Haldeman officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held on Monday from 4 until 7 p.m. at SCHNEIDER APFEL SCHNEIDER & SCHNEIDER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY and again on Tuesday from 10 until 10:30 a.m. at the CHURCH. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church or the Leukemia/Lymphoma Foundation. For online condolences and registry: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com.