Melchior D. Kechely Obituary (1926 - 2012)

Melchior D. Kechely, age 86 years, of Wymore passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the Wymore Good Samaritan Center. He was born February 2, 1926 at Odell where he spent his childhood and was a 1943 graduate of Odell High School. Following graduation he served in the ROTC program at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II as a member of the 274th Armory Battalion as a radio operator in both the United States and Europe from January 6, 1944 to April 22, 1946. Melchior married Louise Buresh on November 23, 1946 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Wymore and he has been a Wymore resident since that time. He was employed as a carpenter and worked at Store Kraft Mfg. Co. in Beatrice as a craftsman, draftsman, and design coordinator until his retirement. Melchior was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Wymore, served two terms as a Wymore City Councilman, and he also officiated basketball with his brother. His hobbies included carpentry, gardening, designing their Christmas lighting display at their home, and especially spending time with his children and grandchildren. Melchior is survived by his wife, Louise; by three children, Bob Kechely and his wife Sharon of Auburn; Bill Kechely and his wife Jean of Lincoln; and Patti Milligan and her husband Terry of Wymore; by four grandchildren, Mary, Megan, Tyler and his wife Kimberly; and Brooke; by a great granddaughter, Payeton; by a brother, Robert Kechely and his wife Maudine of Lincoln; by two sisters-in-law, Helen Zvolanek of Wymore, and Frances Essam of Beatrice; and by nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Nancy (Rosecrans) Kechely; and by three brothers and three sisters. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, July 9, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 115 N.11th Street, Wymore with Father Dennis Hotovy and Father Ferdinand Boehme officiating. There will be a rosary at the Laughlin-Hoevet Funeral Home, 505 N. 9th St, Wymore at 6:00 P.M. Sunday. The body will lie in state at the funeral home from 12:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Sunday with his family receiving friends from 4 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. Sunday; and at the church one hour preceding the service on Monday. Military rites will be performed at the Wymore Cemetery by Anderson Post #25 of the American Legion at Wymore. Memorial to the family's choice with the funeral home in charge.