Melvin Roy Siemens

Melvin Roy Siemens, 93, passed away October 13, 2017, at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Ks. Melvin, the son of Arthur A. and Emma Warkentin Siemens, was born July 30, 1924.

On May 24, 1947, he married Doris Gerbrand at Buhler and moved to Wichita County, Ks., where he was a farmer and cattle feeder.  He was a local school board member from the time of one room school houses to district consolidation and also served on the Bethel College Board of Directors for twelve years.  Melvin attended Bethel College, and then served in the Civilian Public Service during WWII. His service included road construction, being a medical guinea pig, and ferrying horses to Greece.

Melvin was a member of Buhler Mennonite Church, but, not finding this denomination in the Leoti community, was active in the Leoti Baptist Church and later Carwood Community Church (Parks). He served as Trustee and Sunday School teacher. After retirement, Melvin spent twenty-five years in his woodworking shop crafting dozens of pieces of furniture that he gave to family members.

Melvin is survived by two sisters, Glennis and Harlow Schmidt of Buhler and Marvel and Stan Zook of Moab, Utah; three children, Stan and Joy Siemens of Springfield, Mo., Peggy and Jerry Gillen of Leoti, and Rosalyn Robinson and Mark Miller of Topeka, Kan.; five grandchildren, Levi and Clarissa Gillen of Overland Park, Ks., Lucas and Sunny Gillen of Leawood, Ks., Gabriel Siemens of Springfield, Mo., Alison and Jeremy Lee of Nixa, Mo., and Lindsey Siemens and Stacey Ullery of Chicago, Ill.; and eight great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Parker and Kylie Gillen of Overland Park,  Asher, Andrew and Abbott Gillen of Leawood, and Julia and Grant Lee of Nixa.  Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two sisters, Verda Mae Schmidt and Ruby Voth; and daughter-in-law, Jackie Siemens.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 21st, 11 A.M. at Carwood Community Church, 1003 N County Road 7, Leoti, Ks.  Memorial contributions may be made to the church.