Melvin J. Rehkop, 103, of Concordia, MO, died Monday, January 24, at Good Shepherd Care Community in Concordia.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 28, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Concordia, with Pastor Michael Pottschmidt and Pastor Andrew Lehenbauer officiating. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 27, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Concordia. Burial with military rites will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or Good Shepherd Care Community. Friends may sign the online register book at www.campbell-lewis.com
Born November 24, 1918, in Concordia, he was the son of the late Edwin Rehkop and Rosa Holsten Rehkop. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II from July 11, 1941 to November 9, 1945 with the 749th Artillery Battlion, Battery D as a sergeant in fire control. He saw action in France, Belgium, Holland,and Germany including the Hurtgen Forest and Battle of the Bulge awarded three bronze stars for Central Europe, Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns. Upon returning home, he began his long rewarding life as a farmer. On September 8, 1946, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church he married Elva Marie Martens who preceded him in death January 31, 2017. He was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church where he served on numerous boards over the years and was very active in community organizations in the Concordia area. He was a lifetime member of VFW 5649, served on the Honor Guard and a member of Concordia American Legion Post 258. He loved his Lord and Savior, family, country, the soil of our land and being a farmer. He enjoyed people especially all those who would lend a listening ear.
Survivors include five children, Patty McGinnis of Concordia, Marilyn Borgstadt (Richard) of Concordia, John Rehkop (Lena) of Burlington, OK, Janet Rehkop of Kansas City, MO and Connie Rehkop of Higginsville; five grandchildren, Brandon Rehkop, J.J. Rehkop, Jason McGinnis, Tammy McGinnis and Michael Borgstadt; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Marlene Lange of Concordia; a cousin, Melva McGinnis of Warrensburg; as well as several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents and wife, Melvin was preceded in death by two sisters, Esther Rehkop and Elna Storck; and three grandsons, Joe McGinnis in infancy, Brian Borgstadt and Justin McGinnis.