Melroy Behnke

On May 19, 2025 Melroy Ernst Behnke ("Mel") peacefully passed away in his home, surrounded by his family.  He was born 101 years 11 months ago, the oldest child of Melvin and Anna Behnke from Brillion, Wisconsin.  Two siblings included a brother Herbert, two years younger, and a sister (Mary Diann) who died as an infant. Mel grew up in Brillion, attended the Lutheran elementary school, and graduated from the public high school.  Passionate activities included sports, the school band, and representation at Badger Boys State. Upon graduating, he was employed at Brillion Iron Works in the cost accounting department.  Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Mel was drafted into the Army and trained in Air Force Radio Operation and Navigation.  Serving in World War II's Pacific Theater, he flew to Australia, New Guinea, Southeast Asian islands, the Philippines and Japan. After honorable discharge the GI Bill allowed Mel to immediately enroll at Milton College in January 1946.  While there he once again excelled at sports (basketball point guard), worked as a custodian, and received the Sayre Award (scholarship and athletics).  He graduated cum laude in two years eight months with emphasis in history, math, and physical education.  Mel and Joyce (a music major also at Milton College) became husband and wife for 74 years.  Their daughter Toni was born in his senior year; a second daughter Jackie joined them three years later. Two- and one-half years after enrolling at Milton College, Mel's job took the family of three to Rio, Wisconsin.   Mel taught math and multiple high school subjects, along with coaching numerous winning teams (basketball, baseball, football and volleyball).  During Mel's entire educational career of 38 years he served in three school districts: 1948 – 1959    Rio, Wisconsin, 1959 – 1965    Waterloo, Wisconsin, 1965 – 1986    St. Francis, Wisconsin. Positions included teaching, coaching, and school administration.  Mel took great joy in seeing students and staff grow and experience success. Summer employments up until Mel became a school administrator varied: surveying, building homes (carpentry), and cost accounting for a Poynette area canning company. Continued keen athletic interest led to 37 years of refereeing high school football games for the WIAA.  Ultimately, one of those games was to officiate a WIAA State Tournament Championship Game.  Mel also played third base for an area summer league.  It is well-known that the Badgers, Brewers, Bucks and Packers had a lifelong loyal fan in Mel. Academics remained influential throughout his life; he acquired his master's degree in educational administration (1954) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Mel continued attending post graduate studies at universities around the United States up until he retired. Without fail, there remained two weeks set aside for annual family summer vacations that were devoted to travel.  Road trips went to every state (Yellowstone National Park was a favorite which he knew like his back yard) and overseas visits took in nearly 40 countries around the world.  Camping in Door County's Peninsula State Park with close and dear companions of 60 years was a yearly, eagerly anticipated event. Mel and Joyce also were very active members of the Cudahy United Methodist Church.  Their fellow members were highly valued within their friendship circle. Mel and Joyce resided at their home in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin for over fifty years.  Inside, their home reflected their own relationship which grew throughout the years.  He was always the kind and thoughtful gentleman she first met back at Milton. He carried her classroom music books to her car every morning of her music teaching career and continued to lovingly "watch over" her in her later years. Outside, geraniums and raspberries raised by Mel flourished, and he mowed his yard well into his nineties.  The neighborhood enjoyed each other's presence, sharing joys and concerns, always counting on Mel's spontaneous smiles and waves. Mel was preceded in death by his wife (Joyce McIlree Behnke), his father and mother (Melvin and Anna Behnke), his sister (Mary Diann), his brother and sister-in-law (Herb and Doris Behnke), and his niece (Karen Bissonette), his father-in-law and mother-in-law (Dr. J.R. McIlree and Minnie McIlree), his brother-in-law and sister-in-law (Roger and Millie McIlree), and his nephew (Dick McIlree). He is survived by his daughters (Toni Thompson and Jackie Behnke), his grandson and granddaughter-in-law (Chris and Diane Thompson), great-grandson and great-granddaughter-in-law (Alex and Hannah Thompson), six nieces, four nephews, and very good friends and neighbors. The family shares sincere appreciation and gratitude for Mel's very fine care and companionship: Dr. Nunag and staff, Connie from Right at Home, Jessica, Linda, Kaylee, Agata, Ashley, Chiquita, and Dimitri of Aurora Hospice at Home. Any memorial contributions may be addressed to: a scholarship fund at St. Francis High School (SF Activity Fund), Cudahy United Methodist Church, a charity of personal choice. Visitation for Mel will be held on Friday, May 30 ^th , 2025 at Cudahy United Methodist Church ( 5865 S. Lake Drive Cudahy, WI  53110) from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM with Funeral Service and military honors 11:00 AM. Lunch and fellowship to follow at Pulaski Inn in Cudahy. Private burial at Forest Hill Cemetery in Oak Creek will occur at a later date.