John E. Melssen, 92, of Platteville, WI, formerly of Dickeyville, WI, passed away on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at Oak Park Place in Janesville, WI. A memorial service with military honors accorded will be held at a later date. The Haudenshield Funeral Home & Crematory in Cuba City, WI is serving the family.

John was born on January 14, 1932 to Leo & Barbara (Riemenapp) Melssen in Dickeyville, WI. He attended Holy Ghost School in Dickeyville, WI, Loras Academy in Dubuque, IA and Radar School in Fort Bliss, TX. In 1953, he enlisted in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1955. He married Mary Anne Gerhards on May 24, 1955 in Tennyson, WI. John worked for 27 years at the Dubuque Packing Company and later became self-employed as an insurance agent for 12 years. He was a member of the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Dickeyville Fire Department for 32 years and a charter member of the Dickeyville Rescue Squad, American Legion for 55 years, started the Dickeyville Slow-Pitch Softball League and the Dickeyville Athletic Club. John enjoyed bowling, playing horseshoes, softball, reading, traveling around the world, but most of all, he enjoyed time spent with his family and friends. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

John is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Mary Anne; 4 children: Diane (Rob) Klaas of Janesville, WI, Brenda (Kevin) FitzPatrick of Peachtree City, GA, Rick (Valorie Semingson) Melssen of Eau Claire, WI and Thomas Melssen of Chandler, AZ; 9 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers-in-law: Ron (Sandy) Gerhards & Jim (Maurna) Gerhards; along with many nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers: Henry (Mary Ann) Melssen, Harold (Irma) Melssen, Emil (Margaret) Melssen, Robert Melssen, 3 sisters: Lucida (Ray) Schmit, Catherine "Kay" (Louis) Reisch and Florida (Fritz) Reuter and in-laws, Adolph & Catherine (Menne) Gerhards.

In lieu of plants & flowers, a John E. Melssen Memorial Fund has been established.

Memorials may be mailed to:

Haudenshield Funeral Home
c/o: John Melssen Family
P.O. BOX 825
Cuba City, WI 53807