George M. Mellor

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Spencer — George Murray Mellor, 99, of Spencer, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 after a very short stay in the Butte Senior Health Care Center.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024 at Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Spencer.

Burial will be in the National Cemetery in Spencer with military rites provided by the Luther Widden American Legion Post 78.

Memorials may be made to the Luther Widden American Legion Post 78 or Spencer Volunteer Fire Department, both in Spencer, in George's name.

George was born Jan. 13, 1925 to Jess and Gaynelle (Starr) Mellor in Middlebranch, the fifth of 10 children.  He was raised in Cherry County and Holt County with a short stay in the Martin, SD area. When he was eight years old, George drove a team and wagon, alone, from Valentine to Martin, SD. The trip took two days and he would tell of sleeping under the wagon at night. He attended country schools through the eighth grade at which time he had to quit school to work on the family farm.

In 1944 he enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Vincennes, a light cruiser, as a Helmsman and Quartermaster 3rd Class. The Vincennes cruised the South Pacific stopping at many islands, including Hawaii, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Figi, Tahiti and many more. He ran the "gauntlet' when they crossed the international date line and earned the title Golden Shellback. He carried red marks on his back from the (friendly) beating for many, many years. George was honorably discharged in 1946.

He returned to Nebraska and briefly worked in the O'Neill Post Office. He also worked with REA and was instrumental in getting electricity to many farms across Holt County.

George met Amy Imojean Lanman at the home of his grandfather in Redbird when they were teens and they reconnected when George returned from the war. They were very active in Rural Youth and enjoyed the activities of this group of young adults, as well as making many lifelong friends. They married in 1948 and were living in O'Neill during the terrible blizzard that year. They moved to a farm north of Atkinson the following Spring and started their family...Georgia and Barbara were born during these years. In 1953 they moved to Eagle Creek farm and added Debra and Richard. They worked hard and managed well. Lots of happy memories were made at this time...card parties, swimming in the creek, fishing, riding horses and a trip to Washington State to visit family every other year. They attended the Seattle World's Fair during one of these trips. George was the first farmer in the area to install a pivot irrigation system.

In 1961 George and Jean built the Skyline Motel in Spencer, and the Dairy Mart the following year. They operated both businesses for several years, then sold them in 1968 when they built the house George lived in until a month before his death.

  George was a member of the Spencer United Methodist Church and served on the church board. He was a member of the Luther Widden American Legion Post #78 and served as Commander for many years, as well as Commander of the Boyd County American Legion. He was a member of the Spencer Masonic Lodge, Commercial Club, Boyd County Fair Board, Farmer's Elevator Board, Volunteer Fire Department and Holt County Crop Association.

George enjoyed fishing--especially ice fishing, bowling, boating, hunting, playing cards, dancing and local sporting events.

George was a very special man with a fun personality and sharp wit. He worked hard and couldn't stand laziness. He was admired, respected and loved by many, and will be missed by all. George passed away on Nov. 3, 2024 at the age of 99 years, 9 months and 21 days, after a very short stay in the Butte Senior Health Care Center.

George is survived by his four children Georgia (Gale) Chicoine of Spencer, Barbara of New Bern, NC, Debra of Oak Ridge, TN, and Richard (Jean) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; nine  grandchildren Kaylene, Tamra, T.J., Amy, Jessie, Chase, Stephanie, Ricky and Shaun; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; one brother Murray (Jean) Mellor of Atkinson; three sisters-in-law Patricia of Grand Island, Mary of Butte and Betty Lanman of St. Paris, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jean in 2021; one son-in-law Tuey Havranek; three brothers,Richard, Benton and James; and five sisters Ruth (Leonard) Chaffin, Helen (Russ) Hipke, Laura (Howard) Stephens, Maude (Neil) Hipke and Jennie Beth (Bob) Summerer.

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