WICHITA — Melford Dale DeWald, 84, formerly of Bazine, passed away Sunday, March 31, 2013.
He was born April 22, 1928 in rural Bazine, Ness County, to Reuben S. DeWald and Mattie Mae (Staley) DeWald.
Melford was a retired Ness City Junior and Senior High math teacher, farmer and cattleman. He married Ruthye Jo Keil on Jan. 21, 1951 in Bazine. She died May 29, 2004.
He served as a Ness County commissioner for eight years and also was on the CDC, which focused on economic development in western Kansas counties. He was a member of the Lions Club and a life-long church member, including Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church in Wichita. He loved and enjoyed his family, farming, students, friends and traveling to Kauai.
Melford is survived by his daughters, LuAnn (husband Bobby) Rodriquez, Goddard; and Carole DeWald, Wichita; sisters, LaVera Lee, Wichita; and Coralee (husband Wallie) Thornburg, Utica; and grandchildren, R’endi, Bobby Sue, Michael and Kayla Rodriquez; and many other family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruthye Jo DeWald; a son, Mark Douglas DeWald; his parents, Reuben and Mattie DeWald; and a sister Clarice DeWald.
Services are scheduled at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, April 13 at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church, 3515 S. Elizabeth Ave., Wichita. Burial will follow the service at Greenwood Cemetery, Oatville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church; or to the American Diabetes Association, 608 W. Douglas S-100, Wichita, KS, 67203; or Baker Funeral Home, 100 S. Cedar, Valley Center, KS, 67417.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Baker Funeral Home *
100 S. Cedar
Valley Center, KS, 67417
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, April 7, 2013