Melvin Kuske

Melvin B. Kuske, age 69, of Seymour, passed away Monday night, August 24, 2009 at his home after a courageous battle with cancer with his family by his side. He was born September 4, 1939 son of the late Henry and Clara (Dehn) Kuske. On September 14, 1963 he was united in marriage to Karen Ostrowski in Seymour.

Mel was an Army veteran and a member of the Seymour American Legion. Mel has owned Seymour Beverage for 41 years and was a member of the New England Bottlers Association. He was one of the few glass bottle bottlers in the country. Mel was the Best Old Fashion maker in the area. He was a fireman for 22 years and a school bus Driver for over 40 years. Mel enjoyed and loved his family and time spent with his grandchildren. He also enjoyed spending time up north at his cabin. Anything with wheels, hunting, fishing, and ice fishing, polkas and Sunday family cookouts serving yard bird were his favorites.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; and their children: Jill (Chris) Vanden Langenberg, Oneida; and their children, Kyle, Morgan and Matthew; Bernie (Connie) Kuske, Pulaski; and their children, Carley and Bryce; Todd (Jodi) Kuske, Seymour; Taylor, Jordan and Brennan; Jeff (Tina) Kuske, Seymour; and their children, Cole, Dylan and Chase; Three sisters, Dorothy VanDen Langenberg, Bernice Laha, Lorraine (Herman) Bessert; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Janice Kuske, Jack (Joyce) Ostrowski, Tom (Joan) Ostrowski, and Jim (Rosa) Ostrowski; nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Merlin and Henry Jr. Kuske, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Henry and Mildred Ostrowski.

Friends may call at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Seymour on Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 4 PM to 8 PM. Visitation will continue on Friday, August 28, 2009 from 9 AM until funeral services at 11 AM with Pastor Roland Lindeman officiating. Burial will be in parish cemetery. Military Rites and Fireman Salute will follow at the cemetery. Following services at the cemetery the celebration of Mel's life will continue at the Seymour Hotel with "Mel's Old Fashion's" being served and a light lunch. Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com .

Special thank you to the entire hospice staff of Aurora Visiting Nurses especially, Chaplain Amy, Bev, Denise, Lise, and Annie Libb, Mel's nurse in Chicago and also to Rich Matuszak for all your visits.