Melvin J. Johnson, 67, of Dakota City, NE, formerly of Minden, NE, died November 6, 2005 at Mercy Hospital in Sioux City, IA. He was born August 4, 1938 on a farm near Glenwood, IA, to Franklin and Thelma (Meredith) Johnson. Melvin grew up near Glenwood and attended country grade school with many cousins and friends of whom he had fond memories of. He graduated from Glenwood High School in 1956. He joined the Air Force and was stationed in New Foundland, Greenland, Japan and various other bases in the United States. After eight and a half years in the Air Force his family returned to Glenwood where he worked as an accountant for Glenwood Packing Co. and helped his father farm. In 1968, Melvin was transferred to Minden, NE, where he continued his work as an accountant for Minden Beef. During that time, the family attended and later joined the Evangelical Free Church of Minden, where he rededicated his lifelong walk with Christ. He continued his education at Central Community College in Hastings, NE earning an Associates Degree in Machine Tool and Die in 1975. Upon completion of his degree, he was employed nine years at Becton Dickinson in Holdrege, NE as an injection mold repair technician. Following two years as an auto trim and furniture upholsterer, they relocated to Sioux City, IA, where he made injection molds for Weller, Inc. retiring in 1991. He attended Southern Hills Baptist Church in Sioux City. He enjoyed spending time with his family, two brothers Garold and Max, sister Marilyn and father Franklin. He spent countless hours on the computer tracing his family's genealogy and also took great pride in designing and remodeling their home in Dakota City, NE. He found a passion in restoring and searching for vintage autos with his sons and was currently putting the finishing touches on his 1946 Studebaker pickup.

Melvin was preceded in death by his mother Thelma and twin brother Marvin Ray. He is survived by his wife Shirley Johnson of Dakota City, NE; children Cynthia & husband Kim Johnson of Alma, NE; Scott Allen & wife Kathy Johnson of Kearney, NE; Bradley & wife Diane Johnson of Kearney, NE; 9 grandchildren; Jamie, James, Jessica, Dustin, Kristin, Haylee, Greg, Christi, Derek; 3 great-grandchildren; Emilee, Allyson, Logan; father B. Franklin Johnson of Glenwood, IA; sister Marilyn Johnson of Glenwood, IA; brothers Garold & wife Charlene Johnson of Salt Lake City, UT; Max & wife Carolyn Johnson of Glenwood, IA; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.