Melvin J. Bolinger

Melvin J. Bolinger, 89, of South Bend, IN passed away at 6:30 a.m. Monday, July 2, 2018 in his home, following an illness.
He was born on May 8, 1929 to the late Evart, Sr. and Bernice (Parren) Bolinger in South Bend, IN, and lived most of his life in South Bend until he retired in September of 1987.  He then moved to Melbourne, FL, where he lived from 1987 – 2016, before moving back to South Bend.
Melvin retired in September 1987 from Consolidated Freight Trucking, where he worked for 27 years as a truck driver.
On September 19, 1953, he married Betty Scott in South Bend, IN.  She passed away on March 10, 1998. 
Melvin was also preceded in death by a son, Dennis Nickerson; two sisters, Dorothy Watson and Betty Johnson; and four brothers, Evart, Jr., Bob, Richard, and William Bolinger.
Melvin is survived by four daughters, Dawn (Eddie) Starkweather of Rocky Mount, NC; Linda (Dale) Ultsch of South Bend, IN; Diana (Randy) Christman of South Bend, IN; Jennifer (Dan) DeVreese of South Bend, IN; three sons, Randy Nickerson of Melbourne, FL; Gary Nickerson of Athens, TN; Jeff Bolinger of Vincennes, IN; 21 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.
Melvin was a Navy Veteran of the Korean War.  He was a member of American Legion Post 284 in South Bend, IN; and a member of the American Legion, Veteran of Foreign Wars, and AMVET in Melbourne, FL.  He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Lodge, and a member and Governor of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 1406 in Melbourne, FL.  
There will be no visitation.  A Private Service will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas  66675-8517.
Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, IN is handling arrangements.  To send online condolences, please visit www.kaniewski.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin J. Bolinger, please visit our floral store.