John Melnick

John J. Melnick, Sr., 91, of Doniphan died Friday, October 27, 2017, at CHI St. Francis Medical Center.



Funeral service will be 2 pm Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at Apfel Funeral Home in Grand Island with military honors. The Reverend Julie Bringelson will officiate. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Monday at Apfel Funeral Home. Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

John Joseph was born on November 1, 1925, in Erie, PA, to Stephen and Catherine (Sparoon) Melnick. He grew up in Waterford, PA. His Dad died when he was 12, and he had to take over and work on the family farm. He entered the United States Army-Airforce on January 1946, serving during WWII. John was honorably discharged on December 1946. After returning from the service, he began working in construction as an ironworker building bridges and buildings.



On April 25, 1966, John was united in marriage to Sarah Youngblood at Waterford, PA. The couple continued to live in PA until moving to Grand Island in 1985, and then moved to Doniphan in 2002.



John enjoyed many outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, boating, and especially vegetable and flower gardening.



John is survived by wife: Sarah of Doniphan; sons: John (Julie) Melnick, Jr. of Garner, KS, Steven (Donna) Melnick, Sr. of Grand Island, Jason Melnick of Doniphan; grandchildren: Joe, Tyler, Stephanie, Caleb, Steven, Luke; three great grandchildren; sisters: Jayne Scarfo of LA, Katherine Krivonak of Erie, PA; sister-in-law: Marlene (Allen) Smeltzer of Grand Island; several nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Rose Bialomizy, Mary Jane Melnick, Helena Marie Dombrowiak; brothers: Michael Melnick, Steven Melnick; and brothers-in-law: Joe Scarfo and George Krivonak.