He was born on October 25, 1911 in Beaver to the late Tom and Mary Ann Goddard. During his life he owned and operated a farm in Beaver. He drove a school bus for many years for the Coleman School District. He was also a seed salesman, a Deputy Zoning Administrator for Marinette County, a salesman for the Patz Company, and a campground operator. His special enjoyments were playing or watching baseball and playing pool. In 1944 Melvin married Lettie Belle Holley. His wife preceded him in death in 1964. They had four children; Daniel (Robin) Goddard of Denver, IN; Ellen (Richard) Cook of Wisconsin Rapids, WI; David (Sue) Goddard of Beaver, WI; and Nina (Pat) McVeigh of Stevens Point, WI. He has twelve grandchildren.
In 1966 Melvin married the former Lillian Gisenas. He has three step-children; Clark (Karen) Judy of Burnsville, WV, Karen Gisenas (Dan DeGroot) of Pound, WI; and Glover Gisenas (Ed Gale) of Wausau, WI; seven step grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He also is survived by one sister, Edna Gostomski of Borger, TX and two sisters-in-law, Lucille Goddard of Marinette, WI and Julia Goddard of Crivitz, WI. Melvin was preceded in death by his first wife, his parents, four sisters Ethel, Ema, Lillian, and Agnes; and three brothers Leonard, Harold and Tom.
Relatives and friends may call at Rhodes-Charapata Funeral Home, Coleman from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday and then at the Beaver American Lutheran Church, Town of Beaver from 10 a.m. until the time of services at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2. Rev. Michael Werner will officiate with burial in Riverside Cemetery, Peshtigo. His eight grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Melvin's name for the Cancer Care Center, Marinette, WI has been established.