COLUMBUS - Melvin E. Houdek died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018, at Mory's Haven in Columbus.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus. Interment will be at Westlawn Cemetery, Grand Island. Military honors will be presented by Hartman Post 84 and American Legion Honor Guard.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at McKown Funeral Home, Columbus, with a vigil at 7.

Visitation will continue from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday at the church.
Melvin E. Houdek was born Oct. 6, 1939, in Platte County to Emil and Mayme (Spulak) Houdek. He grew up in the Stanton and Clarkson area. Melvin served in the U.S. Army from June of 1961 until June of 1964. On July 27, 1968, he was united in marriage to Leona E. Holtz at St. Bonaventure Church in Columbus. Melvin worked at Sears as a service technician until his retirement. He enjoyed flying and attending the athletic events of his great-nephews, Matthew Nadrchal and Tyson Groene.
He was a member of St. Isidore Church, Holy Name Society, a lifetime member of the V.F.W. 3704 and Hartman Post 84 American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Leona Houdek of Columbus; brothers, Larry Houdek of Columbus and Kenneth Houdek of Lincoln; three sisters, Janice (Doug) Scott of Carter Lake, Iowa, Emilie Groene of Lincoln, and Mary Lou (Robert) Zegers of Lawson, Mo.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Houdek; two nieces and one nephew on Leona's side.
Condolences may be left at www.mckownfuneralhome.com.