Melvin Kingsley

WISCONSIN DELLS – Melvin Kingsley, age 85, of Portage, passed away peacefully in January of 2023, with his loving wife by his side.

Melvin was born in August of 1937, in New Haven Township to Harry and Ruby (Benjamin) Kingsley. They lived in what was the old Badger Valley Stagecoach house.

He attended the Badger Valley one room school for his first eight years of education.  Melvin graduated from Wisconsin Dells High School in 1955.  He joined the Wisconsin National Guard in 1956.  He was in the 32nd Red Arrow Division when it was called up in 1961 and stationed at Fort Lewis, WA.  He was honorably discharged in 1962.  He was an expert rifleman and was a heavy equipment operator.

He married Marie Robinson on August 29, 1959, in Adams, Wisconsin.  They were blessed with four children, Mark of Madison, Rod (Karla) of Wisconsin Dells, Neal (Lori) of Menomonie and Janet (Tom) Morse of Wisconsin Dells.

Melvin farmed with his parents for several years.  He sawed firewood and helped shovel corn for neighbors during harvest time.  He also worked as a custodian at the Wisconsin Dells High School for a couple of years.  He was a city letter carrier for the Wisconsin Dells Post Office for 29 years, retiring in 1992.  After retirement, he enjoyed working at Old River Golf.  Melvin was a 4-H Leader and served on his church board.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, quiet walks in the woods and spending time with his family.  He will be sadly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Marie of 63 years; children, Mark, Rod (Karla), Neal (Lori) and Janet (Tom) Morse; his grandchildren, Corey (Sophie) Kingsley, Trevor Kingsley, Brianna (Benjamin) Peltier; Travis (Rachel) Morse, Alyssa (Joshua) Bridges; Jaret, Trey, and Jacoby Morse, Madeline, Gabe, Gavin, David, Rubiemae, and Mersadies Kingsley, Izel and Karlo; great-grandchildren, Melanie, Masen, Ethan, Jax, Max, Charlotte, Levi, Emily, Marissa, Tessa, and Jedidiah.  He is further survived by a brother-in-law, Alfred Robinson, sisters-in-law, Lola Wernberg, Anna May (Terry) Messing, many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law and his wife, Harold and Maryanne Robinson; a sister-in-law, Carmine Robinson; a brother-in-law, Dwight Wernberg; a nephew, Douglas Robinson; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alfred and Lorella Robinson.

Family was very special to him.  He would do anything to help them, putting them first before himself.  As much as he loved them, his one desire was that they would remember that they are loved more by their Heavenly Father, God.  Keep God first in your life!  

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at City of Refuge Church, 111 E. Haertel St. in Portage, with Rev. Justin O’Boyle and Joshua Bridges co-officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Portage Area Veterans Honor Guard. Inurnment will be private. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be given to Melvin’s two favorite missions.

Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage is assisting the family.