BUSHTON — Melvin Jon Behnke, 85, of Bushton, Kan., passed away Feb. 22, 2022, at The Cedars, McPherson. He was born May 17, 1936, in Lyons, the son of Merrill and Marceline Monroe Behnke. Melvin has resided at The Cedars in McPherson for the past 11 years, formerly of Wichita, Kan., Phoenix, Ariz., Cuchara, Colo., Newton, Kan., Kansas City, Kan. and Bushton. He graduated from Bushton High School, with the class of 1954, and attended McPherson College, McPherson. 

Melvin was a farmer and an Amway business owner. Melvin attended the Central Community Church in Wichita, Kan. He loved golfing, and even got a hole in one in Fort Worth, Texas. Melvin enjoyed helping at the farm and traveling with his Amway friends. Melvin and Bea loved traveling and took their grandsons to all 50 state capitals. On Jan. 22, 1956, Melvin was united in marriage with Bea Grone in Carleton, Neb. She survives of the home. He is also survived by his two sons, Michael Behnke of Bushton, and Steven Behnke and wife Becky of Lyons; foster son, Danny Baker and wife Marci of Tucson, Ariz.; brother, Meredith Behnke and wife De of Bushton, Kan.; sister, Myretta Bell of Dallas, Texas; brother-in-law, Glenn Wilkens of Shawnee, Kan.; sister-in-law, Jean Behnke of Lyons; three grandchildren, Jacob Behnke of Lyons, Jared Behnke and wife Lindsey of Lyons, and Stacey Jezek and husband Brent of Bushton, Kan.; four great-grandchildren, Amelia, Madison, Noah, Wyatt, and one on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Melvin is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Myron and Maurice Behnke; sister, Marilyn Wilkens; brother-in-law, Bill Bell; and foster son, David Baker. 

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at the Salem United Methodist Church, rural Bushton, with Rev. David Reimer and Pastor Tom Reazin officiating. Burial will follow at the Salem United Methodist Cemetery, Bushton. Visitation will be from 3 until 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 1, 2022, at Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons, with family present from 4 until 6 p.m. Memorials may be given to Salem United Methodist Church (for the maintenance of the Salem United Methodist Cemetery) in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Homes

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS  67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Feb. 25, 2022