Melvin Francis Spencer, W5047 Little Lane, Tony, WI 54563, passed away Mar. 2, 2015, at his home, after a 2 month illness. He was born July 25, 1934 in Marshfield, WI, to the late Harold A. Spencer and Elizabeth A. (Guns) Spencer of Marshfield.Melvin grew up in Marshfield, Wisconsin, where he attended St John the Baptist Parochial School and was a member of the first graduating class of Columbus High School in May 1952. Melvin joined the Naval Reserves in 1950 at the age of 16. He served 2 years active service during the Korean War from 1954-1956 on the Brice Canyon repair ship. He remained a resident of Marshfield until August of 1995, when he moved to Tony.He married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Elaine Handrick on August 11, 1956, in Marshfield, Wisconsin. They had 5 children together and remained married until Joyce's death on February 15, 1971. Melvin then married Gayle Rose Brooks on July 17, 1971. They also had 5 children together and were still married on his date of death. After Melvin's military service he returned to Marshfield and worked at Lloyd L Felker Company as plumber's apprentice. He also worked at Marshfield Plumbing until he began Mel Spencer Plumber which later became Spencer and Son's Plumbing Inc. As part of his business Melvin also became a soil tester. In 1994, he transitioned in the role of Rusk County Zoning Administrator until his retirement in the Spring of 1998. In Marshfield, Melvin he served as a Cub Scout Master and a Boy Scout Master and was a member of the Holy Name Society, and he also was a Confirmation Leader at Saint John the Baptist Parish. And was a member of the Knights of Columbus Marshfield Council. After moving to Tony, Wisconsin, he became a member of the Ladysmith Council and Grand Knight and District Deputy. He was also was a supporter of the Wildlife Restoration and participated in their annual fund raiser banquets. He also worked with the Youth at St Anthony de Padua as a Catechist, and served as an Extra Ordinary Eucharistic Minister.His church affiliations included St John the Baptist Marshfield, WI until 1995, St Anthony de Padua, Tony, WI, until his death. He was a 4th Degree member of Knights of Columbus during which he seared as Grand Knight and District Deputy Surviving are his children, Daniel J (Joan) Spencer, Marshfield,WI; Mary E (Tom) Bendickson, Arpin, WI; Susan M (Daniel) Schoelzel, Tony WI; Anna M (Hank) Stock, San Antonio, TX; Timothy G (Jennifer) Spencer, Tomah, WI; Aimee R (Robert) Zahradka, Chili WI; Christopher C. Spencer, Richfield, MN; Peter M Spencer, Madison WI; James H. Spencer, Abbotsford, WI; Melissa A (Ralph) Betthauser, Marshfield WI; 12 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren.His brothers are James Spencer, deceased; Harold (Buck) Spencer, Marshfield, WI; Clement (Clem) Spencer, Gilbert South Carolina; sisters, Lois Herkert, Gloria Schnitzler, Gladys Brock, all of Marshfield, WI.Funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015, at St. Anthony de Padua Catholic Church in Tony.Visitation at Nash-Jackan Funeral Home, 120 E Fritz Ave, Ladysmith WI 54848 from 4-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. followed by Knights of Columbus Rosary on Friday. There will also be an hour of visitation at the Church on Saturday prior to service time. Officiating Clergyman: Father Christopher Kemp Place of Burial: Internment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Marshfield, WI, at a later date.

Marshfield News Herld March 4 2015.