Melvin Wichern

THOMPSON, Mo. -- Melvin M. Wichern, 76, of Thompson died Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at his home.

The funeral will be at noon Monday at Pickering Funeral Home in Mexico, Mo., with the Rev. Joel Krueger officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Mr. Wichern was born Aug. 8, 1934, on a farm near Uniontown, Mo., a son of Henry C. and Martha Cornehlsen Wichern.

After briefly working for Hagar Hinge Co., he worked for Colonial Bakery in St. Louis 34 years until they closed. He then moved to mid-Missouri, working in the bakeries of Temple Stevens and Gerbes in Columbia until he retired.

Survivors include three sons, Daniel Wichern and wife Lisa of Mexico, Eric Wichern and wife Amy of Olathe, Kan., Curtis Wichern and wife Kristina of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; two daughters, Teresa Wichern of Mexico, Rebecca Wichern of Nampa, Idaho; their mother, Gladys Wichern of St. Louis; 11 grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Also surviving is Melvin's companion of 20 years whom he made his home with the past 18 years, Doris Dollens, and her five children, Rick Dollens and Vicki of Thompson, Vicki Calvert and husband Robert of Harrisburg, Mo., Karen Widaman and husband Greg of Mexico, Teresa Gilham and husband Todd of Kansas City, Mo., Rusty Earl Dollens of Thompson; and her eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and five sisters.

Memorials may be given to the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center and sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered at www.pickeringfh.com.