Melvin R. Werch, age 92, of Berlin, died peacefully at his home on Friday, June 1, 2012.
Mel was born on the family farm on June 17, 1919 in the Town of Nepeuskun, WI. He was the son of Daniel and Mary Pagel Werch. He attended Koro Grade School and was a 1938 graduate of Berlin High School. On May 10, 1941 he was united in marriage to Lauretta Jacobs at Emmanuel Evangelica Church in Ripon.
Mel served his country in WWII in the U.S. Navy as a 2nd Class Radarman on U.S. Daly in the Pacific Theater where they were engaged in many major battles of war.
The U.S. Daly was one of the first ships to reach Japan. He participated in the invasion of
Japan and in post-war Japan. Mel was Manager of the Farm Department at Sears in Berlin.
He and Don Gray started Berlin Plumbing & Heating, which was located where the present
Spoehr Law Office is. Mel had a ten year political career in Berlin as an Alderman and
Council President, serving under three Mayors, John Schupe, Otto Heuer, and Marvin Knecht.
After selling the plumbing business in 1963, he purchased the J.P. Luther Co. from Claire H.
Little. The business originated in 1888 as a manufacturer of buggy whips. Currently, J.P.
Luther Co. serves thousands of Masonic Lodges around the world with fraternal regalia.
He was a three time Past Master of Berlin Masonic Lodge #38 F.&A.M., a member of the
Wautoma Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Valley of Green Bay Scottish Rite Bodies, both Beja
Shrine and Tripoli Shrine, as well as Winnebagoland and Mascoutin Shrine Clubs. Mel was a
member of the Berlin Rotary Club, Berlin Lions Club, Faith Community Church, lifetime member
of the Wells-Krause VFW Post #2925, and Trustee of the Longcroft Masonic Trust since its
inception.
Mel is survived by his two sons, James R. (Karen) Werch of Berlin and Gerald (Dorene) Werch
of Redgranite; 4 grandchildren, Andrew M. (Savannah McBeath) of Berlin, Matthew F. (Krystle
Gonzales) of Berlin, Michael M. (Lindsay Cooper) of Oshkosh, and Sara B. Werch of Redgranite;
three great-grandsons, Ian, Evan, and Isaac Werch; one step-great-granddaughter, Destiny Guell;
two sisters, Elsbeth Werch of Waupaca and Dorothy Duncan of Riverview, FL; nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 64 years, Laurertta on August 17, 2005;
granddaughter, Angela M. Werch; and a brother, Howard R. Werch.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, June 6, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Barbola Funeral
Chapel in Berlin, the Rev. Thomas A. Zuhlke officiating. Interment with full Military Honors will be
in Nepeuskun Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives on Tuesday, June 5 from
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral chapel. There will be a public Masonic Service held at 6:00 p.m.
There will also be visitation on Wednesday one hour prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at barbolafc@yahoo.com