Melvin G. Suther

Melvin G. Suther, 85, of Frankfort, KS, died Sunday, September 27, 2015 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Manhattan. Visitation is Tuesday, September 29, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Padden Funeral Chapel in Frankfort. A rosary service will be held at 7 p.m., Tuesday at Annunciation Catholic Church in Frankfort. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, September 30, at Annunciation Catholic Church. Father Daniel Schmitz will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Frankfort. Melvin was born on March 17, 1930 to Herman G. and Alvina (Lierz) Suther at their rural home in Frankfort, KS. He was the oldest of six children. Melvin enlisted in the Army in 1951, where he served as drill sergeant until he was honorably discharged in 1954. He was stationed in Georgia, New York and California where he met his first wife, Sue Ann Clark, of Norman, OK. They were married on April 26, 1954 and were blessed with five children: Jerry, Teresa, Cindy, Tim and Mike. Sue Ann passed away on October 4, 1968. On November 19, 1969, Melvin married Peg Robertson of Hiawatha, KS and they were blessed with two daughters, Aimee and Sarah. After leaving the Army he had a milk delivery route in Blue Rapids and Frankfort. His life career began in the late 1960’s, when he bought a portable grinder. In 1970, he started making feed for Whitfield’s Premix out of Gillespie, IL. This was the beginning of what is now known as Suther Feeds. Melvin continued being active in the business and drove his semi delivering feed direct to the farms until he was 80. He loved visiting with the customers. He was a member of the Annunciation Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Rotary, American Legion and served on the Marshall County Draft Board. Melvin was very proud of his heritage and the fact that his father came from Germany through Ellis Island in 1924. His work and family were most important to him. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. Melvin would boast of their success and would let everyone know whether they were interested or not. Melvin loved attending his children and grandchildren’s sporting events and was a #1 fan of the Frankfort Wildcats. He loved to travel, with one of his greatest accomplishments being able to take his father back to Germany to visit his family. He also enjoyed golfing. Melvin was known for keeping up on world events, one of the best ways to get him riled up was to discuss politics. Melvin and Peg hosted over 16 foreign exchange students since 1983. No one was a stranger to Melvin. He loved young people of all ages and knowing about their heritage and interests. But above all, he was ornery and loved to give people a hard time. He will be missed by many. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter Teresa, his first wife, Sue Ann, his parents, daughter Cindy, and youngest brother Elmer. He is survived by his wife Peg of the home, his children Jerry (Pam) Suther of Frankfort, Tim (Shelly) Suther of Frankfort, Aimee (Bobby) Kenworthy of Frankfort, Mike (Joni) Suther of La Port, CO, Sarah (Frankie) Suther of Jupiter Farms, FL, 14 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, his sisters Rosie Honeyman of Seneca, KS, Pat (Don) Hasenkamp of Holton, KS, Anna Mae (Larry) Stotler of Oklahoma City, OK, his brother Cletus (Elaine) Suther of New Carlisle, OH, and sister-in-law Sonja Suther of Seneca, KS, and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial has been established and will be designated later by the family. Contributions may be sent in care of Padden Funeral Chapel. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melvin G. Suther, please visit our flower store.