Melvin J. Ast

Melvin Joseph Ast was born February 10, 1932, the tenth of thirteen children, to John and Elizabeth (Irsik) Ast on a farm north of St. Joe Ost, KS. and died October 24 at the age of 93.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents John Ast & Elizabeth Irsik Ast and his siblings -Angela Ast Roper, Bernice Ast May, Bertha Ast Roths, Gertrude Ast Raple, Viola Ast Nuessen, Victor Ast, Virginia Ast Winter, Raphael Ast and Johnny Ast. Grandchildren; twins James and Joseph Ast, Michelle Ast and Banks Wiley.
Melvin was married to Bernetta Schwartz in Colwich, KS in June of 1954. Bernetta died in 2004 after 49 years of marriage and raised six children together. Melvin was drafted into the Army in September of 1954 where he was stationed in FT. Bliss, Texas. After serving two years he was given an early release to attend college on a military grant and earned his BS in Industrial Arts at Wichita University, his Masters in education at Pittsburg State. Melvin taught Shop to middle school students at Marshall Middle School until 1991. He built and remodeled homes on the side. He again married to Sharon Ingram Scheffler in 2011 and remained living in Colwich.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Sharon, his six children: Dan (Gayle) Ast, Wichita, KS; Mark (Karen) Ast, Thornton, Co; Deborah Wiley (Doug)Wichita, KS; Greg Ast (Joan) Westminster, CO, John Ast, Colwich, KS; Ron Ast, Hutchinson, KS., his younger sister, Joan Ast Allen, Fort Worth, TX, 20 grandchildren, 24 Great grandchildren and three step-daughters, Belinda Scheffler Hammergren (Raymond), Stillwater, OK., Rene` Scheffler Strunk and Robin Scheffler (Richard) Beardsley of Granbury, TX.
He moved to Hesston Bluestem community to live in independent living with his wife in February, 2025 until his death.
Melvin was dedicated to his family and had fun coaching his sons' ball teams and playing horseshoes & pitch with local friends and bowled on a teacher's bowling team & played golf for many years. He took pride in his plush, large vegetable gardens and still had time for serving on the city zoning committee, school board & singing in the Sacred Heart Parish choir. He was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Melvin was dedicated to sports, following the WSU Shockers, KC Royals & Chiefs. (He lettered in basketball, football & track all at Andale. Above all he was a gentle, playful and sensitive soul who dearly loved his family. He will be greatly missed by all of us, leaving behind a legacy of love and devotion to his Catholic faith.
The Rosary will be 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, 2025 and the Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 29, 2025, both at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (311 S. 5th St., Colwich, KS 67030). Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Hospice (313 S. Market St. Wichita, KS 67202) or The Lord's Diner (520 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67214).
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