Walter T. Mellinger

Walter T. 'Whitey' Mellinger, 84, formerly of Fishers, Indiana, died in Tampa, Florida on October 5, 2009.  He was the son of Arthur and Ella Mellinger, and was born on July 26, 1925 in Jamestown, Indiana.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, of 58 years, who resides in a memory-care facility in New Port Richey, Florida; three children, Peggy (Jeff) Wier, West Lafayette; Jean (Shane) Muir, Noblesville, and Dean (Ann Gent) Mellinger of Indianapolis.  Also surviving are four grandchildren, Natalie, Ross & Stacie Muir and Katie Wier; and one sister, Alice Kinser, Whiteland.  He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, George, Robert, and Russ; and a sister, Mary.
Walter attended George Washington High School in Indianapolis.  He enlisted at the age of 17 in the US Navy as a Seabee during WW II.  He was part of the 72nd Naval Construction Battalion, and the US 56th Construction Battalion, serving several of the South Pacific Islands, primarily Guam.  He was honorably discharged and received a Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.  Having served his country, Walter was always proud to be a veteran.
He was a life member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, both located in Fishers, Indiana and Tampa, Florida.  He was also a member of the Fishers Masonic Lodge #533; Fishers Lions Club; and the Scottish Rite in Indianapolis.  He was a past worthy patron for Fishers Jobs Daughters and was involved with the Fishers Boy Scouts.
Throughout his ife, he was a self-employed excavating contractor and had worked many of those years in the Fishers and Castleton area.
Services will be held at 1:00PM on
at Randall &  Roberts Fishers Mortuary with visitation beginning at 11:00AM prior to the service.  A graveside service with full military rites will be
held at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens immediately
Memorial contributions can be made to Riley Hospital for Children, the Ronald McDonald House or Shriners Hospitals.