February 11, 2020 – West Bend, WI – Melvin was born on September 4, 1942. The youngest of 8 children born to Edward and Florence (Tetzloff) Schroeder. On April 22, 1967 he married Doreen Zanzig of Milwaukee. Together they raised three sons, James, Scott, and Steven.
Melvin grew up on the family farm in Plainfield, WI and was an avid hunter since he was young. Melvin enlisted in the Army at the age of 18 and upon his return he decided to make the trip to the “big” city of Milwaukee where he would meet his future wife Doreen and start his lifelong career at Harley Davidson. Melvin was heavily involved in music and loved going to polka dances with his wife and friends. Even though he started on guitar he eventually found a passion playing banjo as a hobby and with friends. Melvin was an extremely intelligent man and a voracious reader reading anything he could get his hands on to expand his knowledge of a subject. After his retirement from Harley Davidson Melvin could often be found relaxing out in the yard enjoying a cigar and a cold German beer or out riding his custom Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He enjoyed riding on the tractors and caring for his 40 acres up north while on vacation enjoying the outdoors and caring for and playing with his beloved grandchildren.
Melvin was preceded in death by his father Edward, and his mother Florence as well as five of his siblings.
He is survived by and loved by his wife Doreen, his three children James, Scott (Lynn) and Steven (Susie) as well as his brother Llewelyn and sister Beverly Sanchez. He is further survived by his grandchildren Darlene, Samantha, James Jr., Aryanna, Jules, Allison, Caitlyn, Mason and Logan.
He leaves behind many family members and friends who loved and who were loved by Melvin.
There will not be any public services.
The family wishes to thank for all of their help and support Leanna, Marcy and Jackie from Heartland as well as the staff at Betty Harbor and Schmidt Funeral Home.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family.
