Melvin F. Roeder, 82, of Seneca, Kansas, died late Tuesday night, June 11, 2013 at his home.

Melvin Frederick Roeder was born September 13, 1930, on a farm near Seneca, to Leo G. and Frances Schaeffler Roeder. He attended Diamond School for four years, then Sts. Peter & Paul School for four years and graduated from Baileyville High School in 1948. After graduation, he served his country during the Korean War with the Army 633rd Engineer Light Equipment Company as a Heavy Equipment Operator. At discharge he held the rank of sergeant.

On October 13, 1951, he married Angela Koch at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. The couple celebrated 59 years of marriage before Angela preceded him in death on February 2, 2011.

After Melvin’s military service, the couple farmed northeast of Centralia for a few years, and then in 1960 they moved to a farm southwest of Seneca where Melvin farmed and raised stock the remainder of his life.

His lifelong career of farming continued to be a hobby with him even in retirement, along with fishing and playing cards. He loved to travel and visit family and friends in Alaska, California, Nevada, Utah, New York, Massachusetts, Colorado, Minnesota and Canada. He also drove a truck to pick up machinery for his brother Alfred’s farm machinery dealership.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, St. Joseph’s Society, the American Legion Post #21, and a lifetime member of the VFW Post #7458, all in Seneca.

He is survived by five sons, Duane (Chris) Roeder of Seneca, Bill (Sue) Roeder of Fort Collins, Colorado, Gary (Christin) Roeder of Reno, Nevada, Jim (Betty) Roeder of Seneca and Steve Roeder of La Jolla, California; two daughters, Carol Esser of Lenexa, Kansas and Jane Roeder of Overland Park, Kansas; a brother, Alfred Roeder of Seneca; 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchild.

Besides his wife Angela, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Judy Roeder in 1952; a sister, Viola Schmidt; and a brother, Matthias Roeder.

Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1:30 PM Saturday, June 15, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery with military honors. Rosaries will be prayed at 4 & 8 PM Friday, June 14, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given in Melvin’s memory for the Seneca Veterans Wall Fund or the Wounded Warrior Foundation, and sent in care of the family.