Melvin Andrew Flegler, 86, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at the Revask Center of Wichita, Kansas.

Melvin was born September 20, 1932, in Hays, Kansas, one of three boys born to Elsie and Andrew Flegler.  He grew up on the family farm south of Russell and graduated from Russell High School.

Melvin served his country in the U.S. Army- attached to U.S. Air Force SCARWAF Engineer Unit during the Korean War.  After his tour of duty, he returned to the family farm to help his father.

Melvin was united in marriage to Juanita Krug on September 11, 1960 at the Trinity Lutheran Church south of Russell.  This union was blessed with three children; Kim, Kevin and Kristen.  They made their home on the family farm.

Melvin was a man who loved his family and the outdoors.  He was proud to be a Kansas Farmer and Rancher.  He was also the owner and operator of the Melvin Flegler Dirt and Sand Company from 1985 to 2010.  In his spare time, he also helped out at Radke Implement in Milberger.  He was a member and Church Council member for St. John Lutheran Church.  He formerly was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240, Township Board President and Treasurer, past Grant School Board Member, AGCO member of Board of Directors, Russell County Livestock Association, Farm Bureau Board Member, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Steering Committee of County Solid Waste Disposal, past chairman of county Extension Executive Council, Electrical Leader of Sunflower 4-H Club, 1968 Outstanding Young Farmer from Russell County, 1971 received Kansas Bankers Award in Soil Conservation, 1969 Beef Cattle Production Certificate Award, Heartland Camping Club.  He enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, playing horse shoes, helping local farmers with his welding skills, watching all types of racing, watching college football and basketball, and loved taking every opportunity to be with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Melvin’s surviving family include his wife of 58 years, Juanita of the home; daughters, Kimberly Stoppel (Blaine) of Russell, Kansas and Kristen Pfeifer (Dave) of Hays, Kansas; son, Kevin Flegler (Denise Simpson) of Russell, Kansas; brothers, Roger Flegler of Russell, Kansas and Dwaine Flegler of Hays, Kansas; nine grandchildren, Brooke Whitney, Blake Stoppel, Jennifer Gantt, Caitlyn Porter, Brady Stoppel, Tanner Pfeifer, Victoria Boos, Alexandra Flegler and Caleb Pfeifer; and eight great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Celebration of Melvin’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, March 25, 2019 at St. John Lutheran Church.  Burial will follow at the Bender Hill Cemetery, where Military Rites will be conducted by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard.  Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 PM, Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  Memorials have been established with St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Kans for Kids.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.