Obituary: Fricke, Melvin B.

Age 89

Sun., May 10, 2015

FRICKE, Melvin B.

(Age 89) At his request, no service will be held for Melvin B. Fricke who passed away May 4, 2015 in Spokane Valley, WA.

Mel was born December 2, 1925 to Henry George Fricke and Alice May (Beaudreau) Fricke on the family home- stead near Rockford WA.

Mel was inducted into the Unites States Army on May 19, 1944 and served with Company E, 134th Infantry 35th Division in the European Theatre until Feburary 6, 1946.

He was awarded a Purple Heart for a combat wound received near Ardennes France on January 3, 1945 during the Battle of the Bulge.

On September 15, 1950 he married Evelyn Osborne and they were married 64 years when Evelyn passed away on March 26, 2015.

Also preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and one sister.

Mel is survived by his three children, Kimberly (Roger) Balcom, Kathy Fricke Wilkerson, and Lee (Theresa) Fricke; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

After his retirement in 1990, Mel took up the hobby of woodworking and his children and grandchildren are blessed with many beautiful things that he made with love.

He also worked alongside Evelyn on various projects for the Rockford Historical Society and Southeast Spokane County Fair.

Mel will be remembered for his quiet and unassuming manner and his ability to fix almost anything.

He could often be found helping others.

He was greatly loved and will be missed so very much.

Private burial will be held at a later date at Fairview Cemetery in Rockford.

Memorials can be made to the Rockford Historical Society or the Rockford Cemetery Association.

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