Melvin P. Dodge

Melvin P. Dodge, 89, of Minatare, passed from this life into Jesus’ arms, Wednesday, January 11, 2006, at Regional West Medical Center, Scottsbluff. A funeral service will be 10:00 A.M., Saturday, January 14, 2006, at Minatare Church of Christ with Ken Mickey officiating. Interment will be in the Forest Lawn Cemetery, Morrill. Visitation is one hour prior to the service time at the church. Melvin was born May 4, 1916, in Lexington, Nebraska to John and May (Miller) Dodge. During the 1930’s he worked in the CCC’s. He helped build the road and tunnels up the Scottsbluff National Monument. During this time he met Ruth Emery, they married June 7, 1937, which means they celebrated 68 years together in 2005. Melvin started the door closer service in a one-car garage in Scottsbluff in the early 1960’s. The business was moved to Gering for a few years, and then moved to 1380 1st Avenue, Scottsbluff where it is presently located. He taught locksmithing and hardware for the Salina Vo-Tech College. He worked for the Gering School Systems as “Head of Maintenance” for 11 years. Melvin worked for the Sugar Factory in Scottsbluff for ten years. He also farmed in the Sidney area and for several years he has farmed north of Minatare. Melvin has been an elder in the Minatare Church of Christ for 51 years. He was a pillar in the Church, in his family and in the community. What a well thought of and respected man. What an empty space he did leave. Those who have been touched by the thoughts of his heart have been truly blessed. He was a wonderful husband, awesome father, terrific grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Survivors include his wife, Ruth; children, Joan Covington of Los Lunas, New Mexico, Susan (Bob) Knoles of Scottsbluff, Kenneth (Marilyn) Dodge of Gering, Kathleen Dodge of Minatare and Eugene (Cynthia) Dodge of Vale, North Carolina; 19 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. His parents; daughter, Melba Rae Vick; one grandson; two sisters; and four brothers preceded him in death.