Arthur Melvin Grieger, 91, of LaPorte, died Feb. 2, 2015, at 12:15 a.m. at his home surrounded by his family.
Born Jan. 28, 1924, in LaCrosse, IN, he was the son of the late Frederick and Johanna (Rosenbaum) Grieger.
Melvin graduated in 1943 from Wanatah High School, where he was Senior Class president. He enlisted in the Marines in 1943 and served three years. During World War II he was stationed in Hawaii and Washington, D.C. In Washington, D.C., he met his loving wife of 68 
years, Catherine Louise Rongey, who survives. He married his best friend on Jan. 26, 1947.
Melvin lived most of his life in LaPorte County. He was a passionate farmer all of his life. He was owner and operator of a farm for more than 50 years. He was a member of Salem United Church of Christ, Wanatah, IN, and Wanatah American Legion. For 31 years he and Louise were able to spend winters in Texas. There he enjoyed playing golf, square dancing, bowling, playing card games, and spending time with many friends from all over the country. He held the honor of being head usher of the Tropic Star Church for 10 years.
Melvin was an extremely loving and proud father to three children: daughter Jan Rongey-White, son Bruce and daughter-in-law Becky (grandchildren Sarah Barry and Myriah (Damian) Sweeney), and son Brian and daughter-in-law Kathie (grandchildren Chad, Trevor (Laura) and Nolan Grieger). Melvin had four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Bernell (Diane) Grieger of LaCrosse and Don Grieger of Wanatah, and many loving nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were an infant son, Glen Dale; son-in-law, Raymond White; brother and sister-in-law Robert and Rosemary Grieger; and sister-in-law Phyllis Grieger.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, at Salem United Church of Christ, Wanatah, with Rev. Dr. Carol Nordstrom officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Cutler Funeral Home and Cremation Center, LaPorte, and Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the service. Burial will take place following the service at Salem Cemetery, Wanatah, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Honor Flight Chicago, 938 W. Montana St., Chicago, IL 60614-2409; or Salem United Church of Christ, 302 S. Main St., Wanatah, IN 46390.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.cutlerfuneralhome.com.