Melvin Laurence “Mel” Bartz, Jr., age 80, of Blue Rapids, passed away on December 25, 2017, at Blue Valley Senior Living in Blue Rapids.
Mel was born June 21, 1937, at Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, to Ruth June (Rutter) and Melvin Laurence Bartz, Sr. After high school he served in the US Army Reserves from 1955 to 1964. He married Alma Elizabeth “Liz” Brumley on June 23, 1961. He served as Principal of Westminster Christian School in Westminster, California and aslo taught in the Hesperia Unified School District, in Hesperia, California.
Mel was a member of the Barnes Christian Church in Barnes, George Bedford Post 169 of the American Legion of Blue Rapids, Patriot Guard Riders and Wounded Warriors. In his youth he participated in the Boy Scouts, Future Farmers of America and the Civil Air Patrol.
Survivors include his wife Liz, two sons Daniel M. Bartz (Daphne) of Apple Valley, California and Donald J. Bartz (Edie) of Hesperia, California, 7 grandchildren and 4 greatgrandchildren.
Preceding in death were his parents Melvin and Ruth.
Memorial services are planned for 11:00 am Saturday, January 13, 2018, at Barnes Christian Church in Barnes, Kansas.
Inurnment is at Fairmont Cemetery, Blue Rapids, with Military Honors provided by George Bedford Post 169 of the American Legion.
Memorials are suggested to Wounded Warriors and may be sent in care of the funeral home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.