Melvin W Woollen

Funeral Services for Melvin W. Woollen will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Wilcox Community Church in Wilcox, Nebraska with Pastor Craig Cedar, Mr. Wayne Carlson and Chaplain DeWane Dow officiating.  Interment will follow at the Moses Hill Cemetery in rural Phelps County, Nebraska at 1:30 p.m. with Military Honors provided by the Wilcox American Legion Post #377 in conjunction with the United States Army Military Honors Team.

Melvin Woodrow Woollen, 99 years of age, of Holdrege, Nebraska (formerly of rural Wilcox) passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the Christian Homes Care Community at Holdrege.  Melvin was born October 26, 1916 on the family farm five miles southwest of Wilcox, in Harlan County, the fifth of eleven children born to John William and Lillie May (Gifford) Woollen.  He attended Wilcox Public School, graduating from Wilcox High School with the class of 1935.

Following his education, Melvin engaged in farming on the family farm until his induction into the United States Army on October 22, 1941.  He served his country during WW II, stationed in Hawaii, Asiatic Pacific Islands, participated in the invasion of the Saipan Island, and lastly in Okinawa.  Melvin was a decorated veteran, receiving four battle stars, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon, American Defense Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and a Purple Heart for being wounded as a scout in Okinawa.  He served a total of 47 months, with 38 of those months overseas and was Honorably Discharged at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas on September 14, 1945.

After his service, Melvin returned to his passion of farming southwest of Wilcox.  On July 31, 1955 he was united in marriage to Doris O.V. Schleeter.  The couple celebrated their 61 ^st Wedding Anniversary this past July.  They enjoyed traveling, throughout the United States and abroad.  Horses were always a big part of their lives, whether it was entertaining the nieces, nephews or attending parades in the area, special memories were formed.  In early years, they enjoyed fishing in their pond, raising animals on the farm and tending to their yard on the farm.

He is a member of the Wilcox Community Church.  Prayer, faith, determination, and lots of luck got him through life.

He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings and spouses: Cloie Jensen and husband, Bill, Loren Woollen and his wife, Ardyce, Gifford Woollen, William Woollen and his wife, Dorothy, Lamoyne Woollen, Lamonte Woollen and twin sisters:  Lois Ryan and her husband, Gene and Louisa Rabe and her husband, Clifford; brother-in-law, Martin Mattson; sister-in-law, Leona Woollen; and a great-grandchild.

He leaves to celebrate his life; his wife, Doris Woollen of Holdrege; daughter, Darlene Wallander and her husband, Bruce of rural Bertrand, Nebraska; two grandchildren:  Bradley Wallander and his wife, Mishelle of rural Bertrand and Tonya Johnson and her husband, Scott of Lincoln, Nebraska; five great-grandchildren:  Jessica, Ashley and Brandon Wallander and Mitchell and Aidan Johnson; his brothers:  Bernard Woollen and his wife, Juanita of Holdrege and Norden Woollen and his wife, Mary Ann of rural Wilcox; sister-in-law, Helen Woollen of Holdrege; along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2016 from 4:00 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 Melvin's honor and will be designated at a later date.

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

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