Lyle Joseph Melchior

Lyle J. Melchior, 84, a lifelong Sidney resident, died peacefully surrounded by his family, at Sidney Regional Medical Center on Friday, January 17, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sidney with Father Lou and Father Tim officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post #17. Visitation will be held at St. Patrick’s on Friday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m., allowing friends to pay their respects and leave condolences for the family. Christian Wake Service will be held following the visitation. The family requests everyone to wear red clothing or Husker gear, in remembrance of one of their biggest fans. Contributions may be given in Lyle’s memory to the family to be used for his grandson Morgan and his Special Olympic Team. The services for Lyle have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.

Lyle Joseph Melchior was born in Ovid, Colorado on January 23, 1940, the son of Joseph and Katherine (Schmidtberger) Melchior, who were of German/Russian Heritage. Lyle moved to Sidney with his parents at the age of 1. Lyle attended St. Patrick’s High School where he lettered in every sport and was involved with clubs. Lyle was quite the HS football player. His lifetime friend John Beyer who has been dad’s friend since the age of 6 stated Lyle was as good as it gets when it comes to top notch football players coming out of HS. He was recruited by colleges from NE, WY and KS. Coach Devaney recruited Lyle when he was at the University of Wyoming and later at the University of Nebraska. Lyle graduated from St. Patrick’s HS in 1958. He decided to go to Chadron State College (CSC) 1959-60 for school and football. Lyle’s close friends remember dad receiving many “football player of the week” at the collegiate level published in the Omaha World Herald. One was for carrying the ball 5 times for over 200 yards. Lyle was a good football player. Then he enlisted the US Marine Corp Apr 6, 1962. During his time in the Marines, Lyle right out of recruitment training was immediately promoted to the rank of Private First Class. This is a significant achievement because a Marine must normally serve for 6 months before he is considered eligible for this promotion. The commanding officer at this time selected Lyle in the top 10% of his recruit graduates and received the Honor Man Award for his platoon in 1962. This award is judged on Lyle’s ability, leadership, rifle marksmanship, progress in training, attitude and conduct. During the time in the Marine Corp dad received many letters commending his accomplishments including Good Conduct Medal, playing sports for the military (football, basketball, softball and bowling), he had service training in combat intelligence, accounting, operation against guerrilla warfare. Lyle was a top-notch Marine. Lyle met his beautiful bride Judith in Annapolis, MD. They were married at the Naval Academy, June 19th, 1965, they were married for 59 ½ years. Lyle ended his military career as a Sergeant and was honorably discharged February 14, 1968. Lyle worked at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Then Lyle decided to return to Chadron State College in 1970-71 to finish his degree and play football at CSC. Lyle took off right where he was before in football playing first string at the age of 30. Many people remember Lyle at this time as being the oldest player ever to play first string for CSC where the fellow players gave him a nickname of “Papa-San”. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971, the first of his family with a college degree.

Lyle then returned to Sidney, NE and first worked for the State of NE and then got hired by the US Postal Service starting in 1976. Dad was rewarded with over 35 years of service to the Government of the United States. He retired as a Postmaster in Lodgepole, NE on Jan. 3, 2006 at the age of 65.

During Lyle’s years he served on the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department, Lyle was the axe man and was undefeated in the fire department competitions. He helped in the summer during harvest, driving the combine. Lyle spent years out at the softball fields working on improvements to have some of the best softball fields around and Lyle coached women’s softball with winning teams. During that time, he also played men’s softball and men’s bowling. Lots of trophies were earned by Lyle and his teams during this time. Lyle was an active member of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. Lyle was part of the St. Patrick’s Athletic Association. This was a self-supporting association that supported all the funding of the sports at St. Patrick’s high school. One time Lyle made the Sidney Telegraph on Feb 20, 1987, with a title of “Mailman Helps Save Life of Young Child”. That mailman was Lyle Melchior. He was carrying mail at the time when he approached a home delivering mail and the child was having a seizure and Lyle helped his mother save her. The mother of the child credits the help of Lyle with playing a vital role in the treatment and saving of her daughter.

Lyle was retired for 18 years. He golfed every day, played cards, and enjoyed his coffee time with his friends. He also was a fisherman and avid hunter of geese and ducks. He hunted all the way to the age of 84 where he was still a sharp shot. With his beautiful wife, they traveled to see family and friends. He loved watching his granddaughter Skylar run track and watch his grandson Morgan do Special Olympics. He talked to his son, Dave, and daughter, Katherine, every day. Family was most important to Lyle. Lyle was also a big Husker fan. He wore red every day. He is predeceased by his parents and son, Michael.

He is survived by his soul mate Judith, two children Katherine (Ryan) Hawk of Westminster, CO and David (Pamela) Melchior of Sidney, NE. Two marvelous grandchildren that he cherished Skylar and Morgan Hawk. Extended family Jayden, Alexis, Josh, Jacob, Jenna and their families.

He had numerous family and friends as a native of Sidney. Some of his longest friends were John Beyer, Rodney Hahler, Bill Pile and Dick Scott. Lyle was loved by many; he touched many lives. Lyle’s family were his most beloved accomplishments. Lyle always believed to “enjoy the little things, for one day you will look back and realize they were the big things.”

Rest in Peace Lyle.