Melvin Gaskamp

Funeral services for Melvin Gaskamp, 88, husband of Pearl Gaskamp, are scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of William Penn, with Pastor Jeffrey King officiating. Burial will take place in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives Wednesday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. Mr. Gaskamp passed away February 17, 2013 in Scott and White Hospital in Brenham. Melvin Gaskamp was born August 2, 1924 in the William Penn community of Washington County to Otto and Emma Rosenbaum Gaskamp. He was baptized Aug. 3, 1924 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of William Penn, and confirmed there April 2, 1939. Melvin was a graduate of William Penn High School and Blinn College. He served in the U. S. Army during World War II, and served courageously under Gen. George S. Patton in the Normandy Invasion. On May 14, 1955, he married Eleanor Pearl Schwartz in Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He was a member of the Men''s Club, and was involved with the yearly Potato Pancake Supper. Melvin was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Eleanor Pearl Gaskamp; his twin brother and sister-in-law Raymond and Dorothy Ann Gaskamp, and brother and sister-in-law, Clarence and Bernice Gaskamp, all of Brenham; sister, Meta Mutscher of Brenham; sisters-in-law Annie Gaskamp of Brenham, and Florence Gaskamp of Richmond, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers and sisters-in-law Henry and Alma Gaskamp, Herbert and Hattie Gaskamp, Walter Gaskamp, Alfred and Nelda Gaskamp, Otto Gaskamp, Jr. and Monroe and Lillian Gaskamp; sister, Louise Gaskamp; brother-in-law Herbert Mutscher; sister and brother-in-law Thekla and Jim Lueckemeyer. Serving as pallbearers are Bradley Schomburg, Kenneth Mutscher, Terry Lueckemeyer, Robert Loflin, Fred Otto Gaskamp, Tommy Gaskamp, Doyle Gaskamp, Eugene Gaskamp, and Roger Gaskamp. Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church of William Penn, or to Hospice Brazos Valley. Funeral arrangements for Melvin Gaskamp are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.