Melvin G. Marx, 82 died Saturday, February 5, 2011 at Tiffany Square Care Center in Grand Island, Nebraska. Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 12, at Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home in Grand Island. The Reverend Jerry Quandt will officiate.
Mel was born on September 26, 1928 in Herndon, KS, son of the late Rev. Lewis G. and Frieda (Imig) Marx. Mel graduated from Harvard (NE) High School in 1947.  His work experience at that time included working on his Uncle's farm near Gohener, NE driving a horse-drawn harvester. Mel graduated from Hastings College in 1951 where he had been a standout out basketball player known to all as "Buddy". During his summers in college he worked bagging Alfalfa at Morrison Quirk in Hastings NE. Mel later attended the University of Iowa where he received a certificate in Physical Therapy.  He held the 11th license granted in the state of Nebraska. After receiving his license, Mel returned to Hastings, NE to open the first Physical Therapy Department at Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in September of 1952. Mel worked as a Physical Therapist at the hospital for 28 years. In 1981 he moved to Grand Island to take a position with Saint Francis Hospital Home Health Care program. Mel retired in 1993.
Mel married his wife Audrey in Hastings on June 25, 1955. Together they enjoyed nature, walking the Platte River, fishing at their family cabin and exploring the Mormon Island Lakes. They were also a well-known couple walking the halls of the Grand Island malls. Mel and Audrey were traveling buddies, too. They visited and explored many locations around the world. In the neighborhood cul-de-sac where they have lived for the last 28 years, they have found their neighbors to be like family.
Mel is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Audrey Jean (Thomas) Marx, his daughter Susan of Lincoln, NE and his two sons, Tom of Cocoa, FL and Doug and daughter-in-law Kate of Lincoln NE. Mel loved and cherished his three grandchildren; Gwendolyn and Maxwell Ihrie of Lincoln, NE and Jackson Marx of Charleston, SC. Mel is also survived by his two sisters, Edna Mae Hughes of St. Paul, MN, Dorothy Marx of Minnetonka, MN and his brother Donald and sister-in-law Marlene Marx of Lincoln, NE and his brother-in-law Donald and sister-in-law Kathy Thomas of Johnston, IA. Other survivors include three nephews and five nieces, and many close friends.
Mel's life was guided by a deep and abiding love for Jesus and he tried to make every day an example of his faith.
His parents precede him in death. The family request that memorials be made in his name to the Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Rehab Fund, P.O. Box 2063, Hastings, NE 68902.