Melvin D. Whiteley

A Graveside Service for Melvin was held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the Geneva Public Cemetery in Geneva, Nebraska. Kim Dunker presided over the Memorial Service. Pallbearers included Jeff Andrews, Daniel Andrews, Nick Andrews, Craig Rippe, Clayton Behmerwohld and Merle Noel. Memorials are suggested to Fairmont Rescue Squad. Melvin Duane Whiteley was born to Harry & Florence (Newton) Whiteley on July 30th 1933 at rural Nelson, Nebraska and passed away Sunday, April 13th, 2025 at Fillmore County Hospital in Geneva, Nebraska. He was one of 5 children in the family. Mel grew up on a farm Northwest of Nelson and went to country school in that area for the first 1 ½ years, and then the family moved into Nelson in 1946 due to his father’s health. While on the farm, Mel milked cows and performed farm chores. On Saturday nights, he would work at the cream station in Nelson, carrying in the eggs and cream from the farmers. After they moved into town, Melvin still went back out to the farm to milk and help out. Melvin also mowed lawns in Nelson. Melvin’s father’s health worsened, and he died at home in November of 1949. Melvin was 2 years into high school and almost quit school to work more and make more money for the family. He decided to stay in school and worked nights at the Nelson Gas Station until graduating from Nelson High School with the class of 1951. Melvin continued working at the Nelson Gas Station until 1953. At that time, the station own-er's son came back from the Korean war went into business with his father, Melvin’s boss. Melvin’s boss made sure that Melvin had a job with Hill Oil Company in Superior Nebraska, be-fore he let Melvin go. He continued working in Superior until September of 1954, when Hill Oil Company bought the Geneva Location, where Melvin was sent to be the manager. Melvin met Ardyce Sole in 1955 in Geneva, and they built a home in the fall of 1959 and were married on June 11, 1960. Melvin managed the Geneva location from 1954 to 1984, at which time he and Ardyce purchased the Geneva location and switched the name to Mel’s Hill Top Oil Company. Ardyce helped Mel with the bookwork at the station, and they ran the business until July of 2001, before selling the location to the Hill Top Café and retiring. Ardyce passed away on De-cember 2, 2007. Mel remained at home for many years, before moving into the Fairview Manor in Fairmont, Nebraska. Mel was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Ardyce; his brothers, Verel Whiteley & wife Bonita, Bryce Whiteley & wife Margaret, and Delvin Whiteley; sister, Faye Whiteley; brother-in-law, Harold Sole & wife Viola; and sister-in-law, Sherrie Andrews & husband Alfred. He is survived by brother-in-law, Keith Sole; friend, Merle Noel; and many nieces & nephews and their families.

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Melvin D. Whiteley

July 30, 1933 - April 13, 2025