Richard Mellinger, 90, of Burlington, died Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, at Heritage Nursing and Rehab in Cedar Rapids.
Born Oct. 3, 1931, in Burlington, he was the son of Fred William and Sophia Elizabeth Stoller Mellinger. He graduated from Burlington Community High School in 1949. On May 29, 1955, he married JoAnn McQueen in Burlington. JoAnn died November 12, 2005.
Richard served in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean war.
His first job was at Sweetheart Bakery in Burlington. Richard later became a life insurance salesman and financial planner for Minnesota Mutual/Minnesota Life.
He was a member of First Christian Church, American Legion, and a volunteer with the Senior Citizen Group. Richard was very involved with the Burlington Community School District, was the first president of the Burlington High School Athletic Booster Club, and loved announcing for football, wrestling, track, softball, and baseball. Richard was very proud to have the BHS wrestling tournament named after him.
Survivors include his four children, Becky Koehler of Burlington, Robin Mellinger of Hills, Rick Mellinger of Burlington, and Steve Mellinger of Brunswick, Ga.; 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Loretta Dixon of The Villages, Fla., and Marjorie Roth of Waukee.
Visitation will be from noon until 7 p.m. with the family to receive friends from 4 until 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22 at Prugh-Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Mellinger will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 23 at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) with the Rev. David J. Yonker and the Rev. Brooke Anthony officiating. Burial will be in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at First Christian Church following the burial.
A memorial has been established for Burlington High School Wrestling.