Melvin Leroy Janne, 94, of Gorham, Kansas, passed away Saturday, October 15, 2016 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas.

Melvin Leroy Janne, the oldest child of Anna (Kunz) and William Janne, was born in the country home near Dubuque, KS on July 9, 1922. On Oct 3, 1922 he was baptized into the Lutheran faith and later, on May 31, 1936 he was confirmed.  He attended country grade school and two years at Bunker Hill High School.The family moved to the Kunz family farm south of Gorham in 1938, so Melvin graduated from St Mary’s Catholic High School in 1940.

After graduation, he began farming full time with his father. He then served in the Army and was stationed in Japan to assist with the demobilization of forces following WWII. Upon returning home he continued farming.  On July 29, 1961 he was united in marriage to Deloris E. Michel at St John Lutheran Church in Russell. This union was blessed with two children, Lynetta Ann and Michel Leroy.  They lived in Russell until 1968 when they moved to a farm south of Gorham in Ellis County.  In 1980 they built a home on the Kunz family farm. 

Melvin was an active member of St John Lutheran Church in Russell serving on the church council, Sunday School treasurer, Lutheran Brotherhood and a number of committees.  In the spring of 1957 he and three other men of the congregation went to Rock Point Mission in AZ and helped put up a building.  He was a member of the board of the local co-op serving as board president in 1957.  He was a member of the VFW and American Legion. When he and Deloris belonged to the Denim Swingers Square Dance Club he would always have a joke when he did the announcements.  He was a member of the Russell County Free Fair Board and helped with the livestock committee.

Farming was his passion. He started driving tractor at age 9, an International 15-30, and was able to continue through planting the wheat last October. While age made some aspects of farming more difficult, he could always put in a full day on the tractor.

Melvin could tell you the price of wheat, the reason it was that price, and which direction it was likely headed.  He once sold wheat for $12.30.   He said his college education consisted of reading the Wall Street Journal.  He also read a number of farm publications and watched, “Meet The Press” every Sunday morning before attending church, which one of his children said you never missed unless you were deathly sick. He was always willing to help someone in need.
The surviving members of his family include his wife, Deloris of the home, son, Michel (Nancy) Janne of Gretna, NE and daughter,Lynetta (Warren) Snelling of Lawrence, NE. nephews, Gary Rohr, Jim and Dan Wach, nieces, Leslie Heinz and Joyce Wagner,a number of cousins and a host of friends.
Those who preceded him in death were his parents, brother, Harold and sisters Evelyn Wach and Doris Rohr.

Celebration of Melvin’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Thursday, October 20, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery where the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites.  Visitation and family greeting friends will be held Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Memorials have been established with St. John Lutheran Church or Russell County 4-H Development Fund.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.