Melvin Ernest Dojahn, age 94 of Seguin, Texas, passed away on December 30, 2023.  Melvin was born on September 10, 1929 in Karnes City, Texas, to Herman and Annie (Retzloff) Dojahn.

During his childhood, Melvin and his family moved around a lot due to farming and moving the cattle from place to place by wagon for grazing.

He attended school at the Johnson School and also Dewville until he was 14 years old. Melvin began working for a dairy in Martindale along with his mom and dad for four years. He then moved back to Cibolo where he worked for Haggart Biscuit Company. During this time in Melvin's exact words "I went to dances at the Blue Moon Hall in Marion, and after a few dances, I met this good-looking girl named Dorothy Mae Kutz. I thought this is my chance to grab her." They began dating and after two years, Dorothy's dad found out Melvin was a farm boy and told him he needed another tractor driver and put him to work. Melvin and Dorothy were married on January 9, 1950 and they moved to Seguin. Melvin began driving a truck delivering Chicken Fryers and Turkeys to San Antonio, Beeville, and Harlingen. He was tired of the schedule and driving so he decided to go into a career he enjoyed of Carpentry. He began working for Pape Lumber Company in 1960 and Melvin and Dorothy built their lifetime home. This home is where they raised their 3 children, Ralph, Dora, and Dollie. After 4 years, Melvin worked for several different companies and decided to work for himself.

He was building a home for his sister in law when he was approached by a man named Fred Schaker to help him build a car wash in McQueeney. This meeting led to a lifelong friendship and Melvin building several homes for Mr. Schaker.

Melvin also joined the Local Carpentry Union where he was awarded the job of building the Church of God in New Braunfels, and he was the first carpenter to drive a nail in the Audie Murphy VA Hospital in San Antonio. In his later years, Melvin met another lifelong friend, Robert Houssiere. This friendship led to Melvin helping take care of Mr. Houssiere's property and cattle for the Houssiere family following his passing, and a chance to trap wild hogs, one of his favorite pastimes.

Melvin and Dorothy were married for 54 years, until Dorothy was called home by the Lord on February 18, 2004. They enjoyed farming and ranching, raising their family, and later in life enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren. Melvin was also a member of the St John Lutheran Church council and an active member of St John Lutheran Church. Following Dorothy's passing, Melvin continued to enjoy farming along with its headaches, playing 42, antique tractor pulls, Anton farm auctions, listening to polka bands, and going to dances at Anhalt, Martinez, and Geronimo. It was at a dance in Geronimo in 2012 that Melvin met his special friend Sharon Henderson. Melvin and Sharon spent the last years dancing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. Melvin was a special man loved by many and he will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.

Melvin is preceded in death by his loving wife of 54 years, Dorothy Mae Kutz Dojahn, his parents and his siblings, Clara Katzer, George Dojahn, Elenora Hackbarth, and Milda Schulenburg.

Survivors include his son, Ralph Dojahn and wife Kathy; daughters, Dora Schmoekel and husband, Rodney, and Dollie Mergele-Voss and husband Kevin; brother, William Dojahn and wife Julie; sister, Wilma Kutz; sister-in-law, Jane Burell; special friend, Sharon Henderson; grandchildren, Stacy Vasquez and husband Albert, Eric Schmoekel and wife Misty, Dawn Brown and husband Scott, Shelly Gembler and husband Jonathan, Derek Dojahn and wife Crystal, Cassie Mergele and Marieda Freese; numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other loving family members and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Tres Hewell Mortuary.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 10 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church with the Reverend Paul Theiss officiating.  Interment will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers will be Eric Schmoekel, Albert Matthew Vasquez, Derek Dojahn, Ty Brown, Garrett Brown, and Jonathan Gembler.  Honorary pallbearers will be Cassie Mergele, Marieda Freese, Scott Brown, Mary Allen, John Burell and Kody Ynfante.

A reception will  follow at the Gerth Celebration Barn.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 68, Marion, Texas, 78124, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000 Dept 142, Memphis Tn, 38101-9908, or to the American Heart Association, SouthWest Affiliate, P. O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284-1125.