Melvin L. Kimberly

Memorial Services for Melvin L. Kimberly will be conducted from the First United Methodist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska on Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor James Vandament, officiating. Private family inurnment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery at Holdrege, prior to the services.

Melvin Leroy Kimberly, 63 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 following a brief illness at Holdrege. Mel was born December 27, 1944 at Alma, Nebraska, the fourth of six children of Burnett and Genevieve (Barnes) Kimberly. He received his primary education at Holdrege and then attended the Alma Public School, where he graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1963.

Following his education, Mel was employed in the body shop at Strong Brothers of Holdrege. On July 19, 1964 he was united in marriage to Bonnie Vandament at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Arapahoe, Nebraska and to this union two sons were born: Bradley and Alan. The family made their home in Holdrege. In 1966, he was inducted into the United States Army serving his country in Vicenzia, Italy until his honorable discharge in April of 1968.

In December of 1969, Mel became the Shelter Insurance Agent in Holdrege and continued to serve his clients until the time of his passing. On July 26, 1996 he was united in marriage to Denise Norman and the couple made their home east of Holdrege. With this marriage, Mel gained four additional children into his life: Tracy, Sheila, Chad and Todd.

Mel enjoyed fishing, golfing, restoring cars, tending to his garden and yard and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was a member of the American Legion Post #66 and the Fraternal Order of Eagles #3132 both in Holdrege.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Denise of Holdrege; two sons: Brad Kimberly and his wife, Tracy of Holdrege and Alan Kimberly and his wife, Cara of Hastings, Nebraska; step-children: Tracy Duvel and his wife, Missy of Max, Nebraska, Sheila Patterson and her husband, Saun of Holdrege, Chad Norman of Holdrege and Todd Norman and his wife, Lindsey of Holdrege; fourteen grandchildren; one sister, Barb Rogers and her husband, Leroy "Bill" Rogers of Holdrege; three brothers: Robert Kimberly of Oxford, Nebraska, DeWayne Kimberly of Holdrege and Larry Kimberly and his wife, Arleta of Holdrege; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Ronnie Kimberly.

There will be no visitation, the family is honoring Mel's wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

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.