Melvin W. Kirk, 82, of Cozad, Nebraska, died Saturday, May 19th, 2012, at the Cozad Community Hospital.

Melvin was born February 16th, 1930, at Callaway, Nebraska, to Delbert and Arlee (Hamilton) Kirk. He graduated from Ansley High School with the Class of 1949.

Following high school, Melvin entered the U.S. Army, where he served in Korea.  Following his discharge from the service, Melvin married LaVon Gayman on August 16th, 1953, at Cozad.  Their marriage was blessed with four girls, Jamie, Marcia, Michelle and Jennifer. Melvin worked at Allied Mills for a short time before taking over his father-in-law's business in 1959.  Melvin owned and operated Kirk's Trenching and Excavating, which also specialized in dirt hauling and septic tank sanitizing, until his eventual retirement in 2005.

Melvin was a hard working, soft-spoken man.  When he wasn't working Melvin enjoyed making trips to various casinos, from Valentine to Las Vegas and a host of others in between.  Wherever he was, he always loved to play the slot machines.  Melvin also enjoyed fishing and watching Nebraska Football. His work and hobbies always managed to take a back seat to his family, who he loved dearly.  As his girls grew and started their own families, Melvin's life was enriched with several grandchildren and he loved his job as a grandpa.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jim; and two sisters, Shirley and Betty.

Survivors include his wife, Lavon Kirk of Cozad; four daughters, Jamie Krason of San Diego, California, Marcia (Monte) Hueftle of Encinitas, California and Michelle (Jason) Young and Jennifer (Kevin) Gengenbach, all of Cozad; three brothers, Ivan, Lowell and Perry; five sisters, Irene, Phyllis, Edna, Joyce and Carol; seven grandchildren, Jordan Krason, Jessica and Kaitlin Hueftle, Cory and Caleb Young, Haley and Emily Gengenbach; and many other relatives and friends. 

Services will be held on Saturday, May 26th, 2012, at 10 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Cozad with Pastor Doug Smith officiating.  Burial with military honors will be in the Cozad Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Friday, from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad

A memorial has been established in his memory.  Condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com.

Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad is in charge of arrangements.