Melvin W. Haverkamp, 89, of Seneca, died November 10, 2020 at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.

Melvin was born December25, 1930 on a farm north of Kelly, the son of George and Evelyn WinklerHaverkamp. He attended Kelly Grade School and received his diploma from Kelly High School in 1948. After he graduated from school he helped his dad on the farm until he joined the service.On October 10, 1951 he married Carolyn Hutfles at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly Kansas. They celebrated 69 years of marriage.

After they were married, Melvin joined the US Army in January of 1952. He servedin Camp Roberts and Camp Cook in California. In November of 1952 he was sent to Germany where heserved as a heavy machine operator and attained the rank of Corporal. He was honorably discharged in December of 1953. He returned home to Kelly, Kansas where he and Carolyn set up farming, raised hogs and ran a dairy for34 years. For a few years he worked for the KDOT building bridges. And for a short time, he went to work for the Seneca Elevator.

After he retired, he went to work for the Nemaha County Coop driving a reloadtruck. He loved his John Deere tractors and Chevy truck. He was a collector of John Deere tractors andloved buying those tractors, fixing them up and selling them.

He was a former member of St. Bede’s Church in Kelly where he served on the church council and wascurrently a member of St. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca and was a Member of Arthur Mills post 21 of the Seneca American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Evelyn Haverkamp and his brothers, Avitus,Robert and William Haverkamp, infant great grandsons Reuben Brillhart and Gabriel Haverkamp.

He is survived by Carolyn his devoted wife of 69 years and 6 children. Janet (Roger) Hermesch ofSeneca, Dan (Sharon) Haverkamp of Seneca, Joyce (Richard) Kohake of Seneca, Mary (Steve) Brillhartof Hutchinson, Gerard (TeriLynne) Haverkamp of Seneca and Bonnie (Steve) Nordhus of Topeka. Abrother George Haverkamp of Seneca and a twin Georgina Holthaus of Baileyville. 21 grandchildren and43 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Melvin will lie in state at Lauer Funeral Home on Thursday, November12, 2020 for public viewing and to sign the book; the family will not be present that day.A Rosary will be prayed at 9:30 AM, Friday, November 13th at Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. TheMass of Christian Burial will be at 10AM at Sts. Peter & Paul Church, following the rosary. Burial will bein Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Seneca.Memorials may be left in his memory to Coinsfor a Cause sent in care of the family.To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .

SOCIAL DISTANCING AND MASK IS REQUIRED.