Janss, Melvin 'Slim'

Melvin “Slim” Janss, 90, died Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at Keystone Nursing Care Center following an extended illness. His family will receive friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone. Private committal services will be held at a later date at the Keystone Cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established for the Keystone Turner Bowling Lanes and the Keystone Nursing Care Center.

Melvin Ray Janss was born Sept. 1, 1922, in Belle Plaine, to Henry and Elizabeth (Severin) Janss. During World War II, he served his nation in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1946 to 1950. On Aug. 25, 1947, he was united in marriage to Doris Anna Kayser in Augsburg, Germany. She preceded him in death on Oct. 27, 1986.

“Slim” was a member of Merkel-Bockholt American Legion Post 107 in Keystone for 63 years. He also enjoyed membership at the Keystone Turners and had served as a volunteer fireman in Keystone for many years. He was a Chicago Cubs fan and loved dancing.

He will be remembered as a talented handyman.

His memory will be cherished by his children, Dick (Julie) Janss of Dana Point, Calif., Marlene (Page) Lemon of Mount Pleasant, N.C., Ingrid (Jim) Miller of Tiffin and Erin (Kathy) Janss of Keystone; his grandchildren, Raiann Janss of Thomasville, N.C., and Allan (Nancy) Janss of Johnston; his great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Evan Janss; and his brother, Donald Janss of Belle Plaine.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert and Wilber “Bill” Janss, and his sisters, Dorothy Rieck and Ruth Witt.

Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com

Published Jan. 20, 2013 in The Gazette