Melvin Gaskamp

Funeral services for Melvin H. H. Gaskamp, 83, husband of Bernice Buck Gaskamp, are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 15, 2012 St. Peter''s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill, with Pastor Alan D. Kethan officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives Tuesday evening from 5 until 7 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Chapel. Mr. Gaskamp passed away at home February 12, 2012 in Brenham. Born May 5, 1928 in Gay Hill, Washington County to Edward and Sophie Reimer Gaskamp, he was baptized May 27, 1928 in St. Peter''s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill, and confirmed in the same church on June 20, 1943 by Pastor John Striepe. In this church, he was married to Bernice Buck on July 23, 1950. He was employed by the Dr. Pepper Bottling Co. as a salesman and bottler and retired after 43 years. A lifetime member of St. Peter''s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill with 30 years of perfect attendance in Sunday School, Melvin served his church faithfully in many capacities over the years: as president of the church council, as a Sunday School teacher, Luther League sponsor for 19 years, member of the choir, member of the Men in Mission, and as general groundskeeper for the church. Active in the senior citizens group at church, he enjoyed playing cards and dominoes with his friends. He loved fishing with his family, and then sharing a wonderful meal of fried fish with everyone. Melvin worked diligently in his garden, and took time to fly to Charlotte, N.C. to volunteer his time with Operation Christmas Child. In addition, he enjoyed taking Amtrak trips to various locations. He spent many hours sitting quietly on his patio, observing the wonders of wildlife near his home. He is survived by his wife Bernice Gaskamp; sons and daughters-in-law Daniel C. and Teresa Gaskamp, Donald Wayne and Ginny Gaskamp, all of Brenham, and Lee Stanton and Betsy Gaskamp of Charlotte, N.C.; daughters and sons-in-law Jeanette and Philip Harrison of Bellville; Janice and John Rinn of New Ulm, and Lorri Ann and Mark Wilkening of Brenham; grandchildren: Misti Shumate and fiancé Richard Hampton, Mindi Vinklarek, and husband Jeramie, Melanie Warschak and husband Koy, Andrea Scarbrough, Aimee Scarbrough, Jordan Gaskamp, James Harrison and wife Holly, John Harrison and friend Dori Rodriguez, Heather Duebbe and husband Danny, Jake Gaskamp, Sam Gaskamp, Jonathan Gaskamp, Dustin Pegg and Carla, Jared Pegg and Johanna, and Natalie Pegg; great-grandchildren: Hanna Beth Vinklarek, Mark Allen Vinklarek, and Sophia Pegg; sister Esther Gaskamp of Giddings, and sister-in-law Sylvia Gaskamp of Brenham. Preceding him in death were his parents, Edward and Sophie Gaskamp, and one brother, Emil Gaskamp. Serving as pallbearers are James Harrison, John Harrison, Jordan Gaskamp, Jake Gaskamp, Sam Gaskamp, and Jonathan Gaskamp. Honorary pallbearers are Richard Hampton, Jeramie Vinklarek, Koy Warschak, Danny Duebbe, Dustin Pegg, and Jared Pegg. Memorials may be directed to St. Peter''s Lutheran Church of Gay Hill, to Hospice Brazos Valley, Operation Christmas Child, or to any favorite charity. Funeral arrangements for Melvin Gaskamp are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute in the online guest book, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.