Pastor Vilhauer

VISITATION:

9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 23 atTrinity United Methodist Church, 201 West Central St., Chippewa Falls WI, 54729

SERVICE:

11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 23 atTrinity United Methodist Church, 201 West Central St., Chippewa Falls WI, 54729

Pastor Melvin Vilhauer, age 79, of Chippewa Falls, died peacefully on Saturday, May 16, at the Syverson Lutheran Home in Eau Claire.

He was born April 16, 1936, to Christian and Lydia (Ehresman) Vilhauer in Hosmer, SD. Mel graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1954. On August 25, 1957, he married Nancy Toltzmann at Wesley Methodist Church in Manitowoc, WI. He attended Lakeland College graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1958, and later graduating from Seminary School at the Mission House Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree in 1961. He then received his Doctorate of Ministry Studies in 1982, from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL.

Mel served as a Pastor at Zion United Church of Christ in Brownsville and Hokah, MN, from 1961 to 1966, St. John's United Church of Christ in Wisconsin Rapids from 1966 to 1969. He was received into the WI United Methodist Conference in 1969, serving Faith United Methodist Church in Neenah from 1969 to 1976, Community United Methodist Church in Elm Grove from 1976 to 1978, and Central United Methodist Church in Superior from 1978 to 1988. He later served as a Pastor at Our Saviors United Methodist in Mondovi and Gilmanton from 1988 to 1993, Shell Lake & Sarona UMC from 1993-1999, and then retiring in Cadott in 1999. In 2011, he and Nancy moved to Chippewa Falls, serving as a Visitation Pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls.

Outside of his Pastoral Ministries, Mel and his family built their own log cabin and spent many years of free time there and years before spent many years of happy camping in their ever faithful tent camper traveling to many states. Mel enjoyed fishing for all species of fish. From lake trout and king salmon on Lake Michigan to bass and walleyes in the Boundary waters he enjoyed the sport with his son and his friend Don. He also enjoyed hunting for deer, turkeys, squirrels and ducks as well as woodworking and gardening. He was a member of Kiwanis, Lions, Mason, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Mayor's Advisory Council, Scouting; Serving in the community in which he served. He was on many UMC conference committees, WI Campus Ministries, always working with young people, and always helping people.

Mel is survived by his wife of 57 years, Nancy; daughter, Christine (Keith) Berg, Chippewa Falls; son, Eric Vilhauer, Akron, OH ; grandchildren, Justin Vilhauer, Michelle DeMar and Travis Berg; great-grandchildren, Milano, Maliya, Mariana and Mia Sanchez of Portage, IN; and sister, Ramona Newcomb, Oklahoma City; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Alvin, Helmuth and Richard Vilhauer.

A funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2015, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 201 West Central St., Chippewa Falls WI, 54729, with a visitation from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church. Pastors Terri Koca and Don Stannard will be officiating. Interment will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2015, in Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc, WI.

AFTERSERVICE

A funeral service for Pastor Melvin Vilhauer was held at 11 a.m, Saturday, May 23 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Chippewa Falls. Rev. Terri Koca and Rev. Don Stannard officiated. Music was provided by organist, Judy Brist and vocalist, Carl Cronquest. Interment was at Evergreen Cemetery in Manitowoc. Casket bearers were Joe Shug, Tim Mattaei, Justin Vilhauer, Bill Longmeyer, Ron Woodruff and James Kirchen. Honorary casket bearers were Keith and Travis Berg.