Melvin M. Wichern

Melvin M. Wichern, 76, of Thompson, died at 3:30 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2010, at his home.

Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m., Monday, Sept. 6, 2010, at Pickering Funeral Home with the Rev. Joel Krueger officiating. Visitation will be from 10 until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.

Mr. Wichern was born on Aug. 8, 1934, on a farm near Uniontown, Mo., a son of Henry C. and Martha (Cornehlsen) Wichern. After briefly working for Hagar Hinge Company, he worked for Colonial Bakery in St. Louis for 34 years until they closed. He then moved to mid Missouri working in the bakeries of Temple Stevens and Gerbes in Columbia until he retired.

Survivors include three sons, Daniel Wichern and wife Lisa, Mexico, Eric Wichern and wife Amy, Olathe, Kans., and Curtis Wichern and wife Kristina, Port St. Lucie, Fla.; two daughters, Teresa Wichern, Mexico, and Rebecca Wichern, Nampa, Idaho; and their mother Gladys Wichern, St. Louis; 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Also surviving is Melvin s companion of 20 years who he made his home with for the past 18 years, Doris Dollens and her five children, Rick Dollens and Vicki, Thompson, Vicki Calvert and husband Robert, Harrisburg, Karen Widaman and husband Greg, Mexico, Teresa Gilham and husband Todd, Kansas City, and Rusty Earl Dollens, Thompson; and her eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 7 brothers, and five sisters.

Memorials may be given to the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center and sent in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265.