Melvin Hawthorne Meekins, 91, longtime area resident, passed away, Tuesday December 25, 2012 in Sterling. He was born September 28, 1921 in Humphries, Missouri to Noel Lee and Edna Lee (Hawthorne) Meekins. Melvin moved to Limon, Colorado in 1925 where his family had a sheep ranch. Soon after, he moved to Fort Morgan, Colorado. After graduation from Fort Morgan High School in 1940, he joined the United States Army Air Corps. He served 38 months in active duty in World War II flying 41 missions as an engineer/ turret gunner, earning 7 Oak Leaf Clusters. He retired as a Technical/Sergeant and was Honorably Discharged in 1945. Upon returning to Fort Morgan, he went into farming with his father. Melvin married Mary Lou Rothrock on January 31, 1948. In 1965, they moved to town with their two daughters. Melvin became a Certified Life Insurance Underwriter. He also was a rural mail carrier for 18 years. They continued to live in Fort Morgan until moving to Sterling in 2009. Melvin was a member of the United Presbyterian Church serving as an Elder for 18 years. He was a 4-H Leader and served as an Exalted Ruler of the Elk's Lodge. He was a member of the Masons earning the 33rd Degree. Melvin served as President of the Association of Life Insurance Underwriters of Northeast Colorado and was a long time member of the V.F.W. Melvin was an accomplished singer his entire life. He sang for 66 years in the Presbyterian Church Choir and sang for a large number of weddings and funerals throughout Morgan County. He sang with the Barber Shoppers as well as the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. He filled his life with many hobbies. Melvin was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also loved playing golf. Later in his life after complete retirement he took on fixing bicycles and donating them to the Caring Ministries. He was recognized as an "Angel Among Us" and a "Channel 7 Everyday Hero" for repairing and donating over 600 bicycles. Melvin is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Lou Meekins; daughters, Kristin Nichols and husband Gary, Kimberly Delgado and husband Christopher; Grandchildren, Celeste Pelton and husband Byron, Heather Brungardt and husband Lonnie, Travis Nichols and wife Tiffany, Brandon Nichols and wife Kristin and Great Grand-children, Mattea and Elliana Pelton, Trace Brungardt, Peyton and Ashton Nichols, and Brayden and Ryanne Nichols, all of Sterling. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Helen "Billie" Meekins Haug, and Great Grand-children Taylor Nichols and Diego Pelton. Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 10:30 am at the United Presbyterian Church in Ft. Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens. Memorial gifts may be made to the Memorial Fund at the United Presbyterian Church in Ft. Morgan. The Heer Mortuary in Ft. Morgan is in charge of the arrangements.