ALPHARETTA, GA--Delphas, known as 'D.E.' or 'Mel' to his family and friends, left our lives on Friday, November 10, 2017 after a long illness. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 14, at: Northbrook United Methodist Church, 11225 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075.

Mel was 91 years old and is survived by his wife of 69 years, Margaret Ann Mehlinger; daughters, Mary Power, Susan Riordan and husband John Riordan; son, Bill Mehlinger and wife Karen, and son Richard Mehlinger and wife Judy.

Mel and Margaret have thirteen grandchildren and twenty-eight great-grandchildren.

Mel is preceded in death by his father Fred; mother Stella; stepmother Tillie; brother Marion; and sister Frances.

Mel was born in Marion, Kansas on October 4, 1926 of German immigrants. Mel was first generation American. He attended Marion High School, where he excelled academically and at sports. He played baseball and basketball for Marion High.

After graduating high school in 1944, at the age of 17, Mel enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was trained as a radioman on a TBM (Torpedo Bomber Martin). After being released from the Navy, Mel returned home to Marion, Kansas, where he met the love of his life, Margaret Richardson. The two were married on May 9, 1948.

Mel enjoyed sports and played third base for Marion's baseball team in the late 1940's.

Margaret and Mel lived in various towns during their 69 years of marriage, including, Marion, Kansas; Topeka, Kansas; St. Peter, Minnesota; Brooksville, Florida; Balm, Florida; Atlanta. Georgia; Louisburg, North Carolina, and finally, Alpharetta, Georgia.

Mel's loves were God, family, golf (three holes in one!) and the Atlanta Braves. An avid Braves fan, one of his finest memories was attending the 1991 World Series.

One of Mel's passions was giving back to those less fortunate. In Louisburg, North Carolina, Mel and Margaret managed "Care and Share" for over ten years. "Care and Share" supplied underprivileged families with food, clothing and shelter, among other things.

To summarize 91 years of Mel's life in a few paragraphs is impossible. Suffice it to say that Mel lived a good life, he had a good family, he had a good career, but, most importantly, he loved his family and his family loved him.

We miss him.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Northbrook United Methodist Church, 11225 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA 30075.

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