George Murray Mellor

Funeral services for George Mellor, age 99, of Spencer, Nebraska will be held at 1 PM on Friday, November 15, 2024 at the United Methodist Church in Spencer. Burial will follow at the National Cemetery with Military Rites provided by the Luther Whidden American Legion Post #78. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Thursday, November 14, at Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer. In lieu of flowers, George's family requests that memorials be directed to the Luther Whidden American Legion Post #78 in Spencer or the Spencer Volunteer Fire Department. Arrangements are entrusted to Biglin's Mortuary in Spencer.
George Murray Mellor was born January 13, 1925 to Jess and Gaynelle (Starr) Mellor in Middlebranch, NE, the 5th of 10 children. He was raised in Cherry County and Holt County with a short stay in the Martin, SD area. When he was 8 years old, George drove a team and wagon, alone, from Valentine, NE to Martin, SD. The trip took 2 days and he would tell of sleeping under the wagon at night. He attended country schools through the 8th grade at which time he had to quit school to work on the family farm.
In 1944 he enlisted in the Navy and served aboard the USS Vincennes, a light cruiser, as a Helmsman and Quartermaster 3rd Class. The Vincennes cruised the South Pacific stopping at many islands, including Hawaii, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, Figi, Tahiti, and many more. He ran the "gauntlet' when they crossed the international date line and earned the title Golden Shellback. He carried red marks on his back from the (friendly) beating for many, many years. George was honorably discharged in 1946.
He returned to Nebraska and briefly worked in the O'Neill Post Office. He also worked with REA and was instrumental in getting electricity to many farms across Holt County.
George met Amy Imojean Lanman at the home of his grandfather in Redbird, NE when they were teens and they reconnected when George returned from the war. They were very active in Rural Youth and enjoyed the activities of this group of young adults, as well as making many lifelong friends. They married in 1948 and were living in O'Neill during the terrible blizzard that year. They moved to a farm north of Atkinson the following Spring and started their family...Georgia and Barbara were born during these years. In 1953 they moved to Eagle Creek farm and added Debra and Richard. They worked hard and managed well. Lots of happy memories were made at this time...card parties, swimming in the creek, fishing, riding horses, and trip to Washington State to visit family every other year. They attended the Seattle World's Fair during one of these trips. George was the first farmer in the area to install a pivot irrigation system.
In 1961 George and Jean built the Skyline Motel in Spencer, and the Dairy Mart the following year. They operated both businesses for several years, then sold them in 1968 when they built the house George lived in until a month before his death.
George was a member of the Spencer United Methodist Church and served on the church board. He was a member of the Luther Whidden American Legion Post #78 and served as Commander for many years, as well as Commander of the Boyd County America Legion. He was a member of the Spencer Masonic Lodge, Commercial Club, Boyd County Fair Board, Farmer's Elevator Board, Volunteer Fire Department, and Holt County Crop Association.
George enjoyed fishing--especially ice fishing, bowling, boating, hunting, playing cards, dancing, and local sporting events.
He is survived by his children; Georgia (Gale) Chicoine of Spencer, Barbara of New Bern, NC, Debra of Oak Ridge, TN, and Richard of Cedar Rapids, IA. Grandchildren; Kaylene, Tamra, T.J., Amy, Jessie, Chase, Stephanie, Ricky, and Shaun; 13 Great Grandchildren; one Great-great grandson; one brother and sister-in-law, Murray, and Jean Mellor of Atkinson; two sisters-in-law, Patricia of Grand Island and Mary of Butte, and many nieces and nephews.
George was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean in 2021; three brothers, Richard, Benton, and James; and five sisters, Ruth (Leonard) Chaffin, Helen (Russ) Hipke, Laura (Howard) Stephens, Maude (Neil) Hipke, Jennie Beth (Bob) Summerer, and son-in-law, Tuey Havranek.
George was a very special man with a fun personality and sharp wit. He worked hard and could not abide laziness. He was admired, respected, and loved by many, and will be missed by all. George passed away on November 3, 2024 at the age of 99 years, 9 months, and 21 days, after a very short stay in the Butte Senior Health Care Center.