Melvyn Douglas Steelsmith

Melvyn D. Steelsmith, age 79, of Manhattan, Kansas passed away Friday, January 12, 2018, at Wroten House in Meadowlark Hills, with his wife and children by his side. Mel was born July 3, 1938, in Lenora, Kansas, the youngest son of Clay and Pauline Steelsmith. He was preceded in death by both his parents and his older brother, Gene Steelsmith. On October 24, 1958, he was united in marriage to and is survived by, Carol Parker, of Long Island, Kansas. They enjoyed 59 years of marriage together and shared homes in Phillipsburg, Abilene, Topeka, and Manhattan, Kansas. He is survived by 3 children: Curt(Rebecca), Rick, and Sheri, and by 4 grandchildren: Bradley, Kayla, Kyle, and Brelle. Mel and Carol were fortunate to have worked together at BG Consultants in Manhattan. He retired in 2003 after 25 years with the company. Among Mel’s interests and hobbies were woodworking, fishing, golfing, and grilling. Many pieces of his handmade furniture are being enjoyed in the family’s homes. He taught the kids and grandkids the finer points of fishing and enjoyed getting up early for an occasional round of golf. A longtime activity he enjoyed was a card group with a circle of friends from Abilene that has met nearly every month for the past 60 years. This close-knit group still continues to meet regularly. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018, at the First Baptist Church, 2121 Blue Hills Road, Manhattan, Ks. Memorials can be made to the National Kidney Foundation or the First Baptist Church of Manhattan and can be left in care of Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home in Manhattan, KS.