Melvin Carl Jacob
SUN PRAIRIE-Melvin Carl Jacob, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, July, 25, 2017, at Sun Prairie Health Care Center.
He was born on April 10, 1926, in Manitowoc, the son of Arno and Minnie (Jurgens) Jacob. During the depression, his family moved to Detroit, Mich., where he was raised and educated. Mel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in May of 1944, and was eventually deployed on the heavy cruiser, the USS Indianapolis. In the closing days of World War II, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Of the 1,196 crewmen aboard, Mel was one of only 317 sailors and marines to survive the sinking ship after spending 4 ½ days adrift in the Pacific Ocean before being rescued. He received the Purple Heart for his ordeal at sea.
After the war, Mel eventually returned to Wisconsin to work for his father at Jacob Mobile Homes in Madison. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Betty Farwell. They were married on Sept. 1, 1951. Mel was employed by Oscar Mayer in Madison and was also chief flight instructor for Four Lakes Aviation and an FAA Flight Examiner. He worked both jobs for over 30 years. Mel was very well liked and respected by those he knew and in the local flying community. After the death of his wife Betty in July, 2003, he moved to Sun Prairie and most recently resided at Angell Park apartments where he delivered the morning newspaper to residents and showed movies on Friday nights, offering free popcorn, soda and candy. He enjoyed his friends and neighbors at Angell Park very much and will be greatly missed.
Mel is survived by his dear companion, Charlotte Morauske of Sun Prairie; son, Don (Becky) Jacob of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Diane (Rod) Melotte of Columbus; three grandchildren, Melinda (Doug) Goodrich of McKinney, Texas, Jenny (Josh) Achterberg of Columbus and Matt (Veronika) Jacob of McKinney, Texas; six great-grandchildren, Maddie, Jacob and Kameron of McKinney, Texas and Caydence, Sydney and Baylee of Columbus; and two brothers, Ervin (Shirley) Jacob of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Edwin (Jeanne) Jacob of McFarland. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty; and an infant daughter, Nancy.
Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Sun Prairie Health Care Center and Agrace HospiceCare for their wonderful care given to Mel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to Badger Honor Flight.
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