Melvin E. Armstrong
July 7, 2011
Melvin Eugene Armstrong was born November 26, 1932 in Leigh, Nebraska to Elmer and Ella (Burger) Armstrong
At the age of 9, Mel moved with his family to Omaha in October of 1942, and then to Scribner in 1948. His father, Elmer Armstrong, purchased McKay's Tavern on March 1, 1948. Mel attended school in Scribner, graduating in 1950. He returned to Omaha where he worked for Union Pacific until 1954. He returned to Scribner in 1954 and opened Mel's Bar at it's present location on January 9, 1954. He also worked for the US Postal Service as a substitute mail carrier for 21 years and a full time carrier for 9 years.
On May 27, 1957, Mel was married to Donna Bissell. They were married for 21 years. Mel and Donna purchased the Hasebrook Locker and Market on December 5, 1959. They renovated the meat market area and opened Mel's Lounge in that space on April 25, 1971. Mel sold to his son Elmer, on July 31, 1982, and then Elmer and his wife Jane, sold Mel's on June 30, 2000. The Armstrong family had the bar business in Scribner for 52 years.
Mel was a member of the Congregational Church in Scribner. He had served as a Scribner volunteer fire fighter, on the Scribner City Council, Scribner Chamber of Commerce, and was founding member of the Scribner Improvement & Industrial Board.
Mel is survived by his companion of 28 years, Beverly Hammond of Fremont. one daughter Dawn (husband Ron) Cech of Howells, 2 sons Elmer (wife Jane) Armstrong of Scribner, and Ken (wife Celeste) Armstrong of Overland Park, KS; 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Ed) Crouse of Lincoln, Cindy Hruska of Lincoln, Linsey Armstrong of Scribner, Joann, Donna, and Sara Armstrong of Overland Park, KS, three great grandsons Ed IV, Ron, and John Crouse of Lincoln, and several nieces and nephews.
Mel was preceded in death by his wife, father and mother, two sisters and their spouses, Ione and Dick Long and Shirley and Elmer Osterloh.
The funeral service will be 10:30 AM Tuesday (July 12, 2011) in the Congregational Church in Scribner with Larry Jirsak officiating. The committal will follow in the Scribner Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to the Congregational Church, the Scribner Fire Dept., and the Scribner Area Foundation.
Visitation will be Sunday (July 10th) at Ludvigsen Mortuary in Fremont with the family from 3 to 5 PM. Visitation will also be in Scribner at the Scribner Funeral Chapel on Monday (July 11th) from 3 to 8 PM with the family present from 5 to 7 PM.
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1249 E. 23rd St.
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