Melvin Biester

Melvin H. Biester, 84, of Jackson passed away Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 3, 1928, in Tilsit, to Henry W. and Faye B. Philipps. He and Lorene M. Fluegge were married Dec. 10, 1950, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. They had been married nearly 40 years when Lorene passed away Oct. 3, 1990.

Melvin served honorably in the U.S. Army from Jan. 19, 1951, to Jan. 18, 1953. He was a 50-year member of Altenthal-Joerns American Legion Post 158 in Jackson.

He was employed 28 years at the former Schaper's IGA Foodliner in Jackson, where he worked his way up from bagger/carry-out to manager of the meat department. From 1972 to 1992 he was employed by the former Wetterau Foods in Scott City, working as a meat inspector and buyer.

In 1961, Melvin transferred his membership from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit to St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson. In addition to serving on various church committees, he served as a Sunday school teacher, usher, and worked with the youths.

Loving survivors include four children, Ronald (Judy) Biester of Cape Girardeau, Larry (Charleen) Biester and Deborah (Randy) Blankenship of Jackson and Karen Bergfield (fiance Kent Ladig) of St. Louis; seven grandchildren, Justin Biester (fiancee Christy Brown Owens), Josh (Kyla) Biester, Lana Koeppel, Laura Biester, Staff Sgt. Derek Blankenship of Lajes Field, Azores, Amy (Michael) Wallace and Chris Bergfield; four great-grandchildren, Kaydan Biester, Gabriel Koeppel, Sam Miller and Ashley Wallace; three siblings, J.G. (Judy) Biester and Alberta (Leroy) Wilke of Cape Girardeau and Millicent Fluegge of Jackson.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Bob Bergfield; and a sister, Elvira Best.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. An American Legion honor guard service will be held at 7 p.m.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Robert Henrichs officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson, with full military honors.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to the Missouri Veterans Home, American Cancer Society or St. Paul Lutheran Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.