Melvin Frederick Carl Kahle of Blackwell passed away Thursday evening, April 18, 2013, at the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Blackwell, at the age of 91 years.

Melvin Frederick Carl Kahle was born to Henry and Emilie (Tiemann) Kahle on March 27, 1922, in Blackwell, Oklahoma. He was reared and educated in the Blackwell area and graduated from Blackwell High School with the class of 1941.

He was a faithful lifelong member of St. John's Lutheran Church and was active in the church serving as Elder, Treasurer, Trustee, and member of the Men's Club.

Melvin was engaged in farming until he entered into the service in World War II in 1942 with the 24th Infantry, serving in the Pacific area. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation where his unit was known as the "Lost Battalion of Leyte." He was promoted to Sergeant at the time of his honorable discharge in November 1945.

After returning home from the service he continued farming and was a contract pumper for several oil companies for 46 years. He married Naomi Hollingsworth on June 8, 1947, in the Redeemer Lutheran Church in Arkansas City, Kansas. They have lived all their married life on their farm east of Blackwell, Oklahoma. Melvin was a member of the Farm Bureau, a board member of the Newkirk CO-OP, Cattlemen's Organization, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was one of the first Minute Men of Kay Electric Cooperative.

He enjoyed being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was affectionately known as Grandpa Moo. He enjoyed playing cards and dominos.

Melvin is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Naomi, of the home; two daughters, Donna Page and husband Gary of Ponca City, and Ruth Recla and husband Wayne of Shawnee, Oklahoma; one brother, Victor Kahle and wife Wilma of Blackwell; seven grandchildren, Lori Vogele and Brian Page of Ponca City, Barry Brown, Mark Brown, Amelia Recla, and Landry Recla of Norman, and Capt. Ben Recla of Dothan, Alabama, nine great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roy and Mary Lou Smith of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son, and a brother, Marius Kahle.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at the St. John's Lutheran Church east of Blackwell with the Rev. James Dehne officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Cemetery, Ponca City, with military honors provided by the United States Army at Ft. Sill.

Casketbearers will be Barry Brown, Mark Brown, Justin Vogele, Brian Page, David Kahle, and Marlin Kahle.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Andy Miller, Lawrence Rippe, Buddy Klumpp, Bob Wildgrube, and Charles Boesch.

A memorial has been established in his honor at St. John's Lutheran Church in c/o Roberts and Sons Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.