Melvin E. ‘Mel’ Keplinger Jr., 75, a lifetime Kosciusko County resident, died at 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

He was born Jan. 26, 1940, in Beaver Dam, to Melvin Eugene Sr. and Ella Laverne (Walters) Keplinger. He was a 1958 graduate of Mentone High School. He entered the United States Army on June 4, 1958, in Indiapaolis. SP4 Melvin Eugene Keplinger Jr. was honorably discharged on May 23, 1961, from Camp Leroy Johnson, La.

He married Judith A. Walker on May 30, 1960, in New Orleans, La., and later married Mary Lou Zimmer on Aug. 25, 1995, in Warsaw. He was an Indiana State Trooper for 28 years, retiring in 1991 as a detective. He was a member of the American Legion Post #49. He enjoyed gardening, working in the yard, and was an avid baseball fan.

He is survived by his wife: Mary Lou Keplinger, Warsaw; three daughters: Brenda (Mike) Smith, Warsaw; Michelle (Chad) Larsh, Warsaw; Daphne (Tim) Myers, Holland, Mich.; son: Melvin E. Keplinger III, Warsaw; sister: Mary (Paul) Weirick, Silver Lake; stepson: Robert (Diane) Bills, Warsaw; and seven grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his first wife: Judith A. Keplinger, on Sept. 7, 1994.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, at Titus Funeral Home. The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Titus Funeral Home, officiated by Pastor Steve Ailes, Walnut Creek United Methodist Church. Military Graveside Honors will be conducted by Warsaw’s American Legion Post #49 and VFW Post #1126. Burials will be at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.

Memorials may be made to a charity of choice or any simple act of kindness done for others in Melvin’s Memory.