MELVIN H. HAMLIN, 92, of Winfield, Kansas, died on Tuesday afternoon, October 27, 2009 at Cumbernauld Village in Winfield.

Born on Posey Creek, southeast of Winfield, on August 23, 1917, he was the son of Ernest W. and Carolyn "Calla" E. (Weakly) Hamlin. He was a graduate of Winfield High School Class of 1936 and several Service Schools.

He was married to Beatrice (Mitchell) Savage on March 17, 1946. Melvin was a member of the First Christian Church of Winfield, a life member of Military Order of The Purple Heart, American EX-Prisoners of War, The American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion Post 10, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3544. He was also a member of Winfield Masonic Lodge 110, AF & AM, Scottish Rite of Free Masonary, Valley of Wichita, Midian Temple Shrine and Queen City Chapter 138, Order of the Eastern Star. Melvin was a past member of the Winfield Saddle Club, Good Sam Travel Club, Wally Byran Air Stream Club, a Demolay Dad and was active in boy scout activities. His wife, Beatrice preceded him in death on January 2, 2002.

He spent 27 ½ years in Government Service including over five years in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. His decorations include three Purple Hearts, Bronze Star, Prisoner of War Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Foreign Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two Service Clasps, World II Victory Medal, Philippine Defense Medal with Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation Badge with Two Oak Leaf Clusters, National Defense Service Medal and Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge.

Melvin spent over three and a half years as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese; captured on Corregidor Island, Philippine Islands in May of 1942.

His family includes:
His sons and their families: Dr. Melvin H. Hamlin II and wife, Terry and their children, Laura Ann and Nick Stanley and John Hamlin of Raleigh, NC; and Marvin D. Hamlin and wife, Debra and their children, Scott, Amy Kleinschmidt, Shane Kleinschmidt, and Misty and Chris Brussow of Derby, KS;
His great-grandchildren: Emma and Evan Kleinschmidt, Ethan, Caleb and Sam Brussow;
His sister: Mrs. E. Ruth Bullock of Hesperia, CA;
His sisters-in-law: Marie Hamlin and Novella Hamlin; and
Many loved nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, Melvin was preceded in death by five brothers, one sister and a grandson, Andrew L. Hamlin in 1978.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Military and Masonic Committal Honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday afternoon from 1 to 5 P.M.

Memorials have been established in Melvin's name for the First Christian Church and for the Shrine Hospitals. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.