Melvin Arthur Bohlmann, born November 11, 1927, died peacefully at home on Sunday, December 8, 2024, age 97. Mel is survived by his son Gregory of Redwood City, CA (Pamela), and daughters Deborah of St. Louis, MO (Michael Kunz), Cynthia of Valparaiso (Keith Anderson), and Denise Simpson of Mason, OH (Scott Simpson). Grandchildren include SSG Adam Bohlmann Kunz (Dana Vahey), John Bohlmann Kunz, Miriam Bohlmann Kunz (Lindsay Wilson), Samuel Simpson, Jordan Simpson, Anna Anderson (Brian Fine), Jacob Anderson, and Morgan Anderson. Great-grandchildren are Athena Bohlmann Kunz and Edwin Bohlmann Wilson. Mel was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Dorothy Miriam (Peters) Bohlmann in 2004. Carol Van Senus was his longtime companion in his later years, until her passing in 2020.
Mel grew up as a farm boy in Woodworth, Illinois, the son of Martin Bohlmann and Gertrude (Weiss) Bohlmann, the oldest of 14 children. Surviving are sisters Elfrieda Eggold, Ruthanne Wangerin, Carolyn Hardel, and Mary Schmidt, and brothers Willard, David, Gerard, and Charles. Predeceasing Mel are sister Dorothy and brothers Raymond, Donald, Edward, and Richard. As a boy, Mel performed his farm chores with faithfulness and his father never worried he would skimp on a job. Mel loved life on the farm, including the freedom of running and biking across the flat Illinois landscape.
Graduating from Milford High School in 1945. Mel served in the Army in the occupation forces in Japan 1946-47. He used his G.I. Bill benefits to earn his B.A. from Valparaiso University in 1952 and an M.A. several years later. New Year’s Eve of 1953, on a blind date with his brother and her sister, Mel met the young parochial school teacher and church organist in Kankakee, Illinois named Dorothy Peters. On Valentine’s Day 1954 Mel proposed to her, and on June 15, 1954, Mel described his life as truly beginning when Dort married him. Together they built a life and family filled with music, nature, learning, creativity, service, and faith.
After serving as teacher and principal at Crisman School in Portage 1952-1955, now with a young family and in need of year-round income, Mel began summer work at Indiana General magnet manufacturing plant in Valparaiso. There he found his professional home, working in research and development until his 1992 retirement as vice president. Mel’s research team published over 100 professional papers and he was able to travel the world, presenting inventive processes and products related to permanent magnetics.
Mel was a community man. He participated in the Saturday Evening Club, Historical Society of Porter County, VU Alumni Association, IEEE Life Member, Popcorn Panic walker, Community Concerts, Bible studies, book clubs and Honor Flight. Weekly games of golf continued throughout his retirement summers until he was 96. Transportation was another interest. Mel drove a horse-drawn buggy to school as a child, rode a bike with joy, built his own sailing boat, and earned his pilot’s license at age 50.
Mel was ravenous in devouring information, processing new ideas, and making connections. He wrote multiple booklets of family stories and genealogies to share. His house was packed with collections of magazines related to his interests and clippings he tucked into books, sent in letters, and saved in stacks to share with those he cared about. Mel read widely: books on theology, science, history, farming, biography, politics, and humor filled his mind and his shelves. He read the local newspaper every morning and watched the news every night, observing a world always in flux and in need with compassion. One of the last presentations he made at his Saturday Evening Club was about the need to demilitarize the police.
Above all, Mel was devoted to his church, Immanuel Lutheran, where he served in many leadership roles from 1955 on. He taught Sunday School and held multiple leadership roles, including treasurer and president. When Immanuel bought the 23-acre property across the street from his home on Glendale, Mel was the treasurer who wrote the check. Mel loved living within view of his church home and walking distance from worship, which he never missed if he was in town. Later, when Mel and wife Dort downsized their home, they chose a house on the other side of the church yard so their back porch bordered the church property. They enjoyed watching their grandchildren walk home to their house every day after school.
Mel was a well-loved man of gentleness and wisdom. At age 97, on his last day, Mel pronounced, “Enough of this rigamarole,” and we will miss him dearly.
Memorial service Friday, December 13, 1 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, preceded by visitation 11-1 p.m. Memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church and School or Porter County Community Foundation.
GUESTBOOK
I’m so glad that I met you! Your children and grandchildren must make you very proud, they are the best of friends and colleagues! I’m sure it all came from mom and dad! -Jeff Perdew
My sincere condolences to the family. I remember Mel as a doting grandfather who loved and took interest in all they did. He always enjoyed talking to me about them. Such a kind and gentle soul. A life well lived. Peace and God's blessings to all. -Joanne Bowker
My name is Paulina Huffman and I only recently had the pleasure of meeting Melvin when he came to the Porter County Veterans Service Office. I heard of his passing upon returning from vacation and sought online for his obituary. I read it with amazement for his many accomplishments! He led a life of service, both as a military man and as a civilian. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of Melvin. He was indeed a remarkable man! Sincerely, -Paulina Huffman, Asst. VSO, Porter County PS, Please come and see us here at our office when convenient, as Melvin is due some Burial Benefits as a Veteran who had a service-connected disability. You can stop by our office at the Porter County Administration Center (155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso, Suite 109) or call us at 219-465-3587.
