Melvin D. Messersmith, age 89, of Ogallala, Nebraska passed away on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Indian Hills Manor in Ogallala.
Mel was born in Stockville, Nebraska on November 30, 1936, Albert Hennis Messersmith and Ethel Hinton Messersmith. Mel spent most of his childhood in Gering, Nebraska, and graduated from Gering High School in 1955. He joined the U.S. Navy on September 23, 1955, and was discharged with the death of his father. He attended Milford Technical College and joined the family business with Martha Messersmith before opening his own electronics business, Messersmith Radio and TV from 1959 to 1967. In 1967, Mel became an officer with the Nebraska State Patrol, finishing his career as a criminal investigator in Ogallala, Nebraska in 1991. He was also an Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska.
He married Donna Karle in Scottsbluff, Nebraska on August 31, 1958. They had three children: Hal (Kerry), who preceded him in death in 2013; and daughters, Ann Baumgartner of Denver, Colorado and Gwen (Dr. James Rezac) of Ogallala, Nebraska.
His grandchildren are Meghan Gephardt, Brynnley Messersmith, Sydney Sohler, Emma Trammell, Kendall White, Jackton Rezac, Ryder Rezad, and Rockton Rezac. His great-grandchildren are Kaiden and Evyn Gephardt, Harlow, Hayes, and Haven Sohler, Scout, Wilder, and Townson Trammell, and Calvin White.
He is also survived by a brother, Mark Messersmith of Perrin, Texas; a sister, Cleo and "Rolland" Barthuly of Carmel, Indiana; a brother-in-law, Hugh Polson of Georgia and several nieces and nephews.
Mel was a member of the First Methodist Church, an avid bowler and enjoyed woodworking. He also spent many years developing a park and fishing pond near the South Platte River, where many children and their parents enjoyed fishing together.
Mel was preceded in death by his son, Hal; his sister, Ardis Pollllson; his parents, Albert and Martha Messersmith and Ether Sinclair; his brother, Ernest Messersmith; his nieces, Cheryl Polson and Cindy Johns; and his nephews, Mike Sterkel and Frank Johns.
Memorial Services will be at 10:00 a.m. MST on Monday, September 28, 2026, at the Draucker Funeral Home Chapel in Ogallala with the Rev. Michael Heckman of the Zion Lutheran Church of Grant, NE officiating. A memorial has been established in his memory for later designation. Inurnment will be in the Ogallala Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at www.drauckerfh.com. Services will be livestreamed from www.drauckerfh.com.
Draucker Funeral Home in Ogallala has been entrusted with arrangements.