Melvin A. Schott

MELVIN A. SCHOTT, 98, a lifelong resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana was called home by his Lord and Savior on March 9, 2016. Born February 11, 1918 in Fort Wayne, he was the fourth child of Almeda and August Schott. He was baptized as an infant at Emmaus Lutheran Church where he attended grade school and helped his father with janitorial duties after school. He graduated from Central High School where he was exposed to many trades and found his love of printing. He met his wife, Louise, as a teenager. They were married on August 22, 1939 at Zion Lutheran Church and their marriage lasted for over 74 years until Louise passed away on November 3, 2013. Mel attended linotype school in Maumee, OH in 1940 and then worked setting type for a number of small newspapers across the midwest. With a call up for WWII pending and a child on the way Mel and Louise returned to Fort Wayne in early 1943. He enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific theater on a small patrol craft. When famed reporter Ernie Pyle was killed on Iwo Jima, the first reports of his passing were radioed from Mel’s ship. After returning from WWII in 1946 he resumed his typesetting career before founding Anthony Wayne Printing Company in 1951 and grew the business until retiring and selling it in 1981. He purchased a 28’ RV as a retirement gift and Mel and Louise became “snowbirds”, touring the southern states before settling into Woodlands Lutheran Camp near Orlando where they enjoyed 18 active winters. During his career he was active in the Downtown Optimist Club as well as the Northeastern Indiana Trout Association, enjoying many fishing trips to the PIgeon and Pere Marquette rivers. Mel was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and a resident at Lutheran Life Villages. He is survived by daughter, Jean (E. Michael) Bristol; son William (Mary) Schott; grandchildren Timothy Bristol, Mark (Chelsie) Bristol, Andrew (Melissa) Schott and Katie (William) Erickson; great-grandchildren Olivia, Carson, Wesley, Jordan and Michael Bristol. Funeral service is at 2:00 pm on Saturday, March 12th at Lutheran Life Villages chapel, 6701 S Anthony Blvd with visitation one hour prior to the service. Visitation is from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Friday, March 11 at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, 6131 St Joe Road. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Camp Lutherhaven (www.lutherhaven.org),1596 S 150 W, Albion, IN 46701; online donations accepted.