Melvin Reisenbichler

Melvin Reisenbichler, 85, of Three Oaks, Mich., died Saturday, Oct. 7, 2006 in St. Joseph, Mich.

Mr. Reisenbichler was born Sept. 21, 1921, in Cape Girardeau County, the son of Rudolph and Lena (Danz) Reisenbichler.

After attending Lutheran elementary school, he graduated from Jackson High School in 1940. Four years later he received his bachelor's degree from Concordia Teachers College at River Forest, Ill., and later earned his master's degree from Ball State University at Muncie, Ind.

Mr. Reisenbichler began his teaching career at St. Paul Lutheran (Wegan) in Brownstown, Ind., where he served for six years. In 1950, he transferred to Bethlehem Lutheran in Ossian, Ind., where he served as teacher and administrator for 24 years. In 1974, Mr. Reisenbichler accepted a position with Trinity Lutheran School in Sawyer, Mich., retiring in 1986. He also served as organist, choir director, athletic coach and taught various Bible classes during his time in the parishes. Mr. Reisenbichler was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sawyer, Mich. He enjoyed following River Valley High School sports and could often be found in the bleachers, supporting the home team.

On May 23, 1948, he married Frances Kuehn in Brownstown, Ind., she survives. Also surviving are his children, Jane (Mike) Porter-Gresham and Lois Sharp, all of Fort Wayne, Ind., Joyce (James) Duitsman of Atchinson, Kan., Robert (Audrey) Reisenbichler of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Curt (Candy Nesbitt) Reisenbichler, of Woodridge, Ill.; 10 grandchildren, Jonathan Porter, Cory Sharp, Eric, Heather and Brett Duitsman, Joshua and Nicholas Reisenbichler, and David, Jennifer and Jason Reisenbichler; and five great-grandchildren.

Mr. Reisenbichler was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pobocik Funeral Home in Three Oaks, and at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sawyer, Mich.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sawyer, Mich., with the Rev. Kendall Schaeffer officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Chikaming Township.

Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Hour Ministries, 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63141; Trinity Lutheran Church or school, P.O. Box 23, Sawyer, Mich. 49125, or to the charity of the donor's choice.

Pobocik Funeral Home (www.pobocik.com) was in charge of arrangements.