Mineral Point - Beryl Ivan Melcher of Mineral Point, WI passed away quietly on Saturday, October 3, 2026 with his only daughter at his side. He was 94 Years Old.

Services are pending in Wisconsin and South Dakota.

Beryl was born on March 23, 1932 to Bernard and Lillian (nee Axtell) Melcher of Columbia, South Dakota. He graduated from High School in 1950 and served in the US Air Force from 1951-1955 during the Korean War. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Eastern Washington College of Education, his Master of Divinity Degree from Pacific School of Religion, and was ordained at Zion Congregational Church in Ritzville, WA in 1963. Throughout his career, he served churches in California, Washington, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Iowa.

Beryl married Laura (Polly) Anne Rockwell in 1959 and raised their three children and two stepsons with her. He married Cheryl Lindwall in 1988 and they made their home in Mineral Point, WI. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife Cheryl, his parents, his brothers Ray and Lyle, his sister Jeanne, and his oldest stepson Geoff Rockwell.

Beryl is survived by his brother Dick (Carolyn) Melcher, of Pierre, SD; his children John Rockwell of Auburn, WA, Ted (Jennifer) Melcher of Montesano, WA, Sarah (Duane) Caron of Spearfish, SD, Tim (Lisa) Melcher of Marysville, WA; grandchildren Geoffrey Rockwell, McKenzie (Mike) Kane, Ellie (Sean) Barrett, Tim (Amanda) Caron, Laura (Alex) Johnsen, Amy (Trevor) Caron, Jack Melcher; 10 great grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who all lost little pieces of their hearts with his passing.

He loved his gift of oratory, and with it, Beryl created passions in the hearts of many. He used it through the years as a pastor and also as a Little League Baseball coach. He led his Kansas team to a division title in the 1980s, and there must’ve been some rousing speeches during those pregame peps!

In addition to sports, Beryl loved camping, hunting pheasants in South Dakota, woodworking, playing cards, whistling hymns with his signature vibrato, and found great joy in tending his garden, preserving its harvest, and savoring the fruits of his labor long after the growing season had passed. For a time, he even ground his own wheat to bake homemade bread that his teenage children referred to as “boardloaf” which was actually pretty tasty. Beryl loved to laugh, but was perturbed by a few things as well.

His deepest convictions were toward those who struggled, and Beryl possessed a fierce and resolute commitment to stand for the weak and broken people of the world. He never turned anyone away who came to him seeking help. Ever. His life as a committed servant to his lord Jesus and the broader community of mankind was a long and remarkable one where his memory will live in the hearts of those that knew him.

A Celebration of Life for Beryl is currently pending.