Melvin Jurss

Melvin Jurss, age 69, of Fond du Lac, WI, died Wednesday, October 27, 1999, from cancer at his daughter’s home in Princeton.

He was born April 6, 1930, in Sheboygan, WI, the son of the late Herbert and Elna (Rautmann) Jurss. He graduated from Sheboygan Central High School, and then enlisted and served four years of active duty in the United States Army during the Korean War. He advanced to the rank of Sergeant in the 73rd Tank Division. After serving his tour of duty in Korea, Mel returned to Sheboygan to marry his childhood sweetheart, Jean M. Wehmeyer. They resided in Sheboygan where he became a Police Officer for the Sheboygan Police Department. He then graduated with honors from the State Patrol Academy to become a Wisconsin State Patrolman. He covered Fond du Lac County and resided in the Pickett-Rosendale and Green Lake areas until 1966. In 1967, he became Police Chief of Ripon. Among the many innovations Mel contributed were the Ripon Auxiliary Police Department. He attended and graduated with honors from the FBI Academy (Federal Bureau of Investigations) in 1972.

After Mel’s retirement from Law Enforcement in 1978, he continued to serve the surrounding communities as Head of Security for all Speed Queen plants across the country, then as manager for the Berry House in Fond du Lac and for the last 17 years as Director of the Fond du Lac Housing Authority.

An avid par-golfer, bowler, fisherman, outdoors man and all-around athlete, Mel’s zest for life was particularly exhibited in his love and compassion for others. He was a positive minded man who spoke highly of everyone in his life.

Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Marie Wehmeyer; his parents, Herbert and Elna Jurss; and parents-in-law, Herman and Elizabeth (Brown) Wehmeyer. Two brothers-in-law also preceded him in death, Frank Plesetz Sr. and Elmer Lohr, all of Sheboygan.

Mel is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Bonnie and Tom Pearson of Princeton; his grandson, Tom Duzinske of Neenah; step-granddaughters, and friends, Krista (Dave) Olsen of Ripon and Kelly (Brian) Blackley of Oconomowoc. He is further survived by his sisters, Elvira Binversie of Sheboygan, Delores (William Sr.) Stalter of Sheboygan Falls, and Claribel Lohr of Sheboygan; brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Lois Wehmeyer also of Sheboygan and many close, special nieces and nephews and friends.

Funeral service will be held at noon on Friday, October 29, 1999, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Princeton with Pastor William Lewis officiating.

Visitation will be Friday, from 10 am until the time of the service at the church. Inurnment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Sheboygan. Memorials in his name to St. Agnes Hospice Hope in Fond du Lac and Calvary Lutheran Church in Princeton.

During his illness, Mel embraced Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, and gratefully accepted the wonderful gift of eternal life from his loving Father. Mel is currently very busy singing songs of praise (off-key), at the top of his lungs in Heaven. At last he has found the peace and happiness that he searched for his entire life, attempting to obtain it through worldly things—but not ever feeling satisfied. He fervently hopes everyone who reads his obituary seriously considers accepting the free gift God has for us. Mel did!


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