The Lexington Leader
January 16, 2008

Richard Gus Melcher

August 20, 1915 - January 10, 2008

Richard Gus Melcher died at the age of 92 on January 10, 2008 at his home in Rockdale where he had lived since 1952.

Richard was born on August 20, 1915 in Fedor, Texas to his parents John Melcher and Dora Wolf Melcher. He married Hildegard I. Dommann on April 23, 1944 in the Trinity Lutheran Church in Fedor. Richard was a World War II Army veteran and a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Rockdale.

He worked as a monument designer for Rockdale Memorial Company in Rockdale from 1952 to 1984.

His parents; sisters, Minnie Melcher, Anna Spieker and Martha Schreiber; brothers, Martin, Carl and Alvin Melcher preceded him in death.

Richard is survived by his wife, Hildegard Melcher of Rockdale; sons, Bob Melcher and wife Donna of Rockdale, Jim Melcher and wife Judy of Robinson, Richard Melcher of Rockdale; daughters, Peggy Crane and husband Earl of Rockdale, Teresa Griffith and husband Page of Rockdale; brothers, Ludwig Melcher of Houston, Frederick Melcher of Temple, John Melcher of Lincoln; sisters, Louise Beran of Mart and Otillie Hanusch of Temple.

He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Stacy Beason and husband Cary, Jennifer Taylor and hisband Heath, Robin Hillis and husband Keith, Laura Tunnicliffe and husband Loren, James Richard Melcher and wife Sara, Erica Doss, Jon Melcher, Angi Lara and husband Rafael, Erin Young and husband Nathan, Joseph Richard Melcher, Emily Rydell and husband Landon, Diana Griffith and husband Jared, Callie Gehring and husband Eric; and 13 great-grandchildren, Christopher and Nicholas Beason, Andrew, Matthias and Claire Tunnicliffe, Cristian, Angel and Liliana Lara, Sypher and Cynis Young, Abby and Blake Rydell and April Gehring.

Funeral services were held on January 13, 2008 at Peace Lutheran Church in Rockdale. Burial was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Rockdale. Rev, Jan Campbell from Peace Lutheran officiated.

Pallbearers were Bob Melcher, Jim Melcher, Richard Melcher, Jon Melcher, Landon Rydell and James Richard Melcher.