Melvin B. Kolker, 87, of Merrill, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, July 8, 2015 at his home. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill, Iowa. Pastor Bert Burwell will officiate. Burial with military honors by Oleson – Halweg American Legion Post #125 will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Merrill. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. The family will be present from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral service on Thursday.

Melvin Bernhardt Kolker was born January 28, 1928, in Le Mars, Iowa the son of Roy and Meta (Schumacker) Kolker. He was raised in Le Mars and worked as a printer at the Le Mars Globe Post until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in World War II.

He was recalled to the Army for the Korean War. As an Infantryman, he received the Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory Medal, Occupation of Japan Medal, Korean Service Medal with two battle stars, United Nations Medal, Republic of Korea War Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation from the South Korean Government.

Melvin was a printer for ten years at the Le Mars Globe Post, a printer for 20 years for the Sioux City Journal, and worked 15 years for Mc Cormack Distributing in Le Mars. He was Mayor of Merrill, Iowa for twenty years and Justice of the Peace. During this time as Mayor, he was Vice President of Northwest Iowa Mayors Association, a member of the Crime and Drug Commission of Le Mars, and member of Plymouth County Conference Board. He also served on the St. John’s Lutheran Church Council, was a Life Member of Oleson - Halweg American Legion Post #125 as well as a life member of the Combat Infantry Association. He married Eileen Trometer on January 25, 1952, at Merrill, Iowa. They resided in Merrill for 60 years.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Eileen of Merrill, Iowa; a daughter, Denice K. Kolker of Merrill, Iowa; two sons, Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Dean M. Kolker and his wife, Lila, of Rolla, Missouri and Daniel T. Kolker and wife, Pamela, of Sandstone, Minnesota; three granddaughters, Jennifer, Jessica, and Kendra; five grandsons, Kyle, Quincy, Justin, Spencer and Riley; and four great-grandchildren, Trevor, Caleb, Zaden and Zoey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Dale and Eugene.