George Melichar of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Tuesday evening, September 22, 2009, in the Shawn Manor Nursing Home in Ponca City, Oklahoma, at the age of 81 years.

George Melichar was born on December 5, 1927, in Marland, Oklahoma, to Frank and Marie (Kopicky) Melichar. He grew up in Marland attending Ellen Grove Rural School and Tonkawa Public Schools. During his junior year of high school he entered the United States Navy serving during World War II. Following the war he returned to Tonkawa and married Jo Jean Haney on February 14, 1948, and they settled in Tonkawa before moving to Ponca City. He worked at Kruger Grocery Store and later Gruner Machine Shop. He then enlisted in the United States Army serving during the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge he returned to Ponca City until 1967 when he served in the Vietnam War working on downed helicopters. In 1968 he moved to Blackwell where he married Hazel Allison Kincaid on February 2, 1968, and they settled in Blackwell. Following their marriage they moved to various cities where he worked to the United States Government in the aircraft industry. He retired in 1975 and later moved to Wichita, Kansas, and began working for Boeing Aircraft before retiring in 1989. In 1997 he returned to Blackwell to make his home. His wife preceded him in death in 2002 and he continued to make Blackwell his home. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Blackwell and the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by a daughter, Vana Murphy and husband William of Pahrump, Nevada; a son, Joe Melichar of Las Vegas, Nevada; a step-son, Tom Kincaid of Blackwell, Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Kyle Murphy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Joshua Murphy of Washington, D.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

He was also preceded in death by his parents; a son, Richard Melichar; and a brother, Ernest Melichar.

Graveside services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Saturday, September 26th in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, with the Rev. Jeff Koch of the First Christian Church in Blackwell, officiating. Burial will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Military rites will be performed by Blackwell American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Memorial contributions can be made to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for heart research in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.