Melvin E. Lotz

Our loving father, Melvin Elmer Lotz passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, November 26, 2022, at the age of 100.  He was born April 7, 1922, in Ottawa, Illinois to Elmer A. and Martha J. Kattner Lotz.

Melvin grew up on a family farm near Grand Ridge Illinois. His grandfather, Charles J. Lotz, was a Methodist minister, and the family continued in that tradition.  Early in his life he developed a love of the Savior and a willingness to follow Him.

He loved Hawaiian music!  As a teenager, he learned to play the electric steel guitar, and with his brother, Gilbert, played with two lady friends in a band called The Hawaiian Serenaders.  His children and grandchildren loved it when he got out the old guitar and played some songs.

During World War II, Melvin served for 3 years in the Army Air Corps.  He was stationed at Hill Field where he met Dorothy Miller.  It was love at first sight.  They were married six months later in the Kaysville, Bamberger Station where Dorothy and her family lived (Dorothy’s mother Nora was the ticketing agent there).

After the war was over Mel worked as a civilian at the Naval Supply Depot in Clearfield.  After eleven years he transferred employment to Hill Field, where he worked for the next 23 years (mostly in Production Management) until he retired from civil service in 1980.  He was very proud of the fact that he also worked as a part-time maintenance employee for 50 years at Lagoon Amusement Park in Farmington.  He started out helping in the very popular dance hall, but later spent his Saturdays and some weeknights repairing arcade games and later midway games.

Melvin and Dorothy had their first child, Marjorie Ann, while living in Kaysville.  When number two, Terry, arrived two years later, they moved into an apartment in Verdeland Park in Layton. After a few years they moved to Clearfield where their third child, Tom, joined the family and in July of 1960, they made their final move to the house in Kaysville where he has lived for the last 62 years.  While in Clearfield, after exhausting numerous stake missionaries, he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  A few years later the family was sealed for all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.  Melvin served in many church callings, but his favorite was serving with Dorothy as temple workers in the Bountiful Temple for seven years.

Melvin will be remembered as an intelligent and happy person, a patient person, one who loved to read current events, listen to music, play pinochle, learn of the accomplishments of his grandchildren, and tell stories of his past. He had a tremendous will to live and to do good in the world. He was a true patriot who loved and served his country and loved and respected the American flag. He was very devoted to Dorothy and will be remembered for his kindness to her, holding hands while they sat together, taking her on endless shopping sprees, and loving her through her battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Their reunion was surely a joyful one!

He was preceded in death by his sweetheart wife, Dorothy; his parents, Elmer and Martha Lotz; his brother Gilbert Lotz, and his sister Loraine Richard.  He is survived by his sister, Judy Thielbert, children, Marjorie Burton, Terry Lotz (Marilyn), Tom Lotz (Sheila), 12 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. 

Our family would like to express appreciation to Melvin’s grandson, Todd Burton, who lived with and cared for him for many years.  We also greatly appreciate the loving care shown by the many healthcare workers who have treated him over the years and the wonderful staff and caregivers of Whisper Cove where he has lived for over a year.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Kaysville 4^th Ward Chapel, 875 East 200 North, Kaysville, Utah.  Friends may visit with family Friday, December 2, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 N. Main Street, Kaysville, Utah and Saturday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the church prior to the service.  Friends and family are welcome.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.