Melvin C. Jacob
April 10, 1926 - July 25, 2017
Obituary
SUN PRAIRIE-Melvin Carl Jacob, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, July, 25, 2017, at Sun Prairie Health Care Center. He was born on April 10, 1926, in Manitowoc, the son of Arno and Minnie (Jurgens) Jacob. During the depression, his family moved to Detroit, Mich., where he was raised and educated. Mel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in May of 1944, and was eventually deployed on the heavy cruiser, the USS Indianapolis. In the closing days of World War II, the USS Indianapolis was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Of the 1,196 crewmen aboard, Mel was one of only 317 sailors and marines to survive the sinking ship after spending 4 ½ days adrift in the Pacific Ocean before being rescued. He received the Purple Heart for his ordeal at sea. After the war, Mel eventually returned to Wisconsin to work for his father at Jacob Mobile Homes in Madison. It was during this time that he met his future wife, Betty Farwell. They were married on Sept. 1, 1951. Mel was employed by Oscar Mayer in Madison and was also chief flight instructor for Four Lakes Aviation and an FAA Flight Examiner. He worked both jobs for over 30 years. Mel was very well liked and respected by those he knew and in the local flying community. After the death of his wife Betty in July, 2003, he moved to Sun Prairie and most recently resided at Angell Park apartments where he delivered the morning newspaper to residents and showed movies on Friday nights, offering free popcorn, soda and candy. He enjoyed his friends and neighbors at Angell Park very much and will be greatly missed. Mel is survived by his dear companion, Charlotte Morauske of Sun Prairie; son, Don (Becky) Jacob of McKinney, Texas; daughter, Diane (Rod) Melotte of Columbus; three grandchildren, Melinda (Doug) Goodrich of McKinney, Texas, Jenny (Josh) Achterberg of Columbus and Matt (Veronika) Jacob of McKinney, Texas; six great-grandchildren, Maddie, Jacob and Kameron of McKinney, Texas and Caydence, Sydney and Baylee of Columbus; and two brothers, Ervin (Shirley) Jacob of Sun Lakes, Ariz., and Edwin (Jeanne) Jacob of McFarland. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Betty; and an infant daughter, Nancy. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison at 1 p.m. on Friday, July 28, 2017. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 11:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Friday. The family wishes to thank the staff of Sun Prairie Health Care Center and Agrace HospiceCare for their wonderful care given to Mel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association or to Badger Honor Flight.
Events
Visitation
Fri Jul 28, 2017 @ 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Service
Fri Jul 28, 2017 @ 1:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
Memories
JA
Jenny Achterberg
Other •
Shared a photo.
+ 9
ER
Ellie Rutan
Other •
He was one true Marine and Hero. Thank you for your service Sir.
TF
Tom Cantwell, Badegr Honor Flight
Other •
The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, Melvin Carl Jacob. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. on April 2, 2011
JS
Jeanette Schey
Other •
Mel was truly an angel on this earth. Living here at Angell Park Apts. these past four years has really told me what goodness was in this man's heart. From all he donated for our joy w/movies, delivering early morning papers for all of us, to untold other help he gave us, God bless his soul! From his horrendous experience in WWII and to live this long and giving of his entire self, it could only have been an angel on this earth. Thank you, Mel! God rest your soul!
Jeanette Schey
BM
Beverly Marchant
Other •
So sorry to hear of the loss. I am Beverly Marchant from the American Legion Post 333 in Sun Prairie. I have asked Mel to be in the Sun Prairie Memorial Day Parade every year I believe since his Badger Honor Flight and will dearly miss him next year. I am glad he was in the parade for this Memorial Day and could honor him for his military service. Would also see him on Veterans Day. Thanks for your service and sacrifice Melvin. God Bless. .
SC
sharon clark
Other •
Hi I am Charlotte Morauske’s daughter. It was an honor to know Mel. I really appreciate the friendship they had and how they cared for each other. I know Mom will really miss him. Whenever we went visited from California it was always nice to see Mel too. I remember many times when he took us up to his apartment to show us a video on his big screen. We came to love Andre Riue because of his introduction. In fact we are going to a concert in LA in October to see him. I know Mom and Mel would have loved to see him in person. I ate dinner with Mom and Mel often in their building on their Thursday evening BBQ and sat in on a couple movies that he put on.
I am grateful for his contribution to the service and have read In Harms Way twice. It is hard to believe that a story like that really happened.
Thank you for the kindness your family showed to my mother during the past few difficult months and especially how you took her in as family yesterday. Mom told me of the faith you have and the granddaughter that came in with her hymnal and sang for an hour one day. It is nice that we all have that faith and know that one day we will all see each other again.
I was 5 weeks post total hip replacement and Durwood was less than a week from having his gallbladder out. We looked at possible flights and made some plans, but when it came right down to it we just didn’t have the stamina to make the trip. My doctor said I shouldn’t fly for 2 months. So it is with regrets that we didn’t come. I was there with you in spirit thinking of all the friends and family that would be there.
God bless you and may you know that we celebrate his life with you and grieve the loss as well.
Sharon and Durwood Clark