Melvin L. Ferdinand

Funeral Services for Melvin L. Ferdinand will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Thursday, January 20, 2011 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Dale Lambert, officiating. Interment will be held in the Adullam Cemetery, north of Bertrand, Nebraska at 1:30 p.m.

Melvin LeRoy Ferdinand, 67 years of age, of rural Holdrege, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2011 at the Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. He was born August 20, 1943 at Holdrege, the second of three children of Gilbert and Esther (Brummer) Ferdinand. Melvin received his primary education at Ragan, Nebraska and then graduated from Holdrege High School with the class of 1961. During his high school years, Melvin enjoyed his involvement with Future Farmers of America. His entire life was centered on farming. Melvin continued to engage in farming south Holdrege until his retirement in 2009.

On November 19, 1982, he was united in marriage to Marcia C. Matson. The couple was deeply involved with foster care and was blessed with five children through the years, of which two children were adopted.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where he enjoyed the fellowship of the Methodist Men's breakfast every Tuesday and was a past member of the church choir for several years.

Melvin loved his gold fish and had a special place in his heart for his dogs.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Marcia of rural Holdrege; two children: Chris Petersen of rural Holdrege and Samantha Jones/Ferdinand of Chadron, Nebraska; three former foster children: Jeffery and Desiree' VanTilberg of Missouri, and Jennifer Quiring and her husband, Pedro of Holdrege and their families; one sister, Loretta Misko of Ord, Nebraska; one brother, Galen Ferdinand and his wife, Julie of Loomis, Nebraska; brothers-in-law: Robert Matson and his wife, June of Granby, Colorado, and Doran Matson of Zumbro Falls, Minnesota; sisters-in-law: Janice Hall and her husband, Dave of Niceville, Florida, and Susan Williams of Lincoln, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.