Melvin P. Halbach Sr., age 98, of New Holstein passed away peacefully Friday evening, March 27, 2015, at Willow Park Place in New Holstein. He was born January 3, 1917 in the Town of Calumet near Pipe to the late Joseph & Mary (Kalt) Halbach. On November 23, 1936, he married Esther B. Hostettler at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Stockbridge; she preceded him in death on May 6, 1996. On September 18, 1999, he married Esther M. Kraus Pitzen at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein; she preceded him in death on September 17, 2014. In addition to farming in the Town of Calumet near Marytown; Melvin also worked at the Kohler Company for 28 years until his retirement. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in New Holstein, Holy Name Society, New Holstein Knights of Columbus Council 12393, and the Kohler Company Quarter Century Club. Melvin enjoyed all sports; he enjoyed playing basketball and baseball. He coached the Marytown AC Basketball team for many years. The sport he most looked forward to was the annual sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago each year. He started spearing at age 14 and his last year spearing was this past 2015 season at the age of 98. Melvin is survived by his three children, Gordy (Pat) Halbach of Fond du Lac, Melvin Jr. (Shirley) Halbach of Mount Calvary, and Mary (Randy) Wollert of Germantown; seven grandchildren, Todd Halbach, Jeff (Winnie) Halbach, Troy (Jaemy) Halbach, Craig (Jill) Halbach`, Claudette (Rick) Rahmer, Jeff Olig II, Keefe (Lindsey) Olig; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; five step children, Betty Casper, Mary Schnell, Lyle (Sue) Pitzen, Chris (Tom) Diedrich, all of Kiel and Gary Pitzen of Elkhart Lake; 15 step-grandchildren; 17 step-great-grandchildren; and his sister-in-law, Alice Heller. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents, his first wife, Esther B. Halbach; his second wife, Esther M. Pitzen Halbach; great-grandson, Cory Halbach; step-son, Mark Pitzen; step-great-grandson, Trevor Casper; brothers & sisters, Guido Halbach, Mildred Thome, Esther Pitzen, Milton Halbach and Ione Winkler. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 1724 Madison Street New Holstein, WI 53061. Rev. Harold Berryman will officiate with Deacon Pat Knier assisting. Entombment will be at the Shrine of Rest Chapel Mausoleum at Ledgeview Memorial Park Cemetery in Fond du Lac. Family and friends may greet the family at the church on Wednesday, April 1st from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. For additional information, please contact the Sippel Funeral Home in New Holstein, (920) 898-4300 or visit www.sippelfuneralhome.net Melvin's family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Theiler and the staff members at Calumet Medical Center, Willow Park Place and Calumet County Hospice.