Mel Giersch, age 61 of Concordia, died Fri., Nov. 8, 2013 at his home in Concordia after a valiant fight against cancer. He was born on Jan. 21, 1952 in Salina, KS to Melvin & Florence (Burge) Giersch.

Mel graduated from Salina Central High School in 1970 and KSU-Salina in 1973. He married Joyce Keim in Dec. 1973. He moved to Concordia in 1976. He later married Barbara Baker on Oct. 13, 1978 in Concordia. She preceded him in death on April 4, 2006. On Aug. 9, 2008 h e married Janet (Graham) Morgan in Concordia. Mel began working at Rite Way Laundry in 1985 and purchased this business on July 1, 1998 and later renamed it NCK Commercial Laundry. He purchased the 16 ^th St. Carwash in 2000 and recently the carwash at 5 ^th & Broadway. Mel was an avid sports fan, especially KU & K-State. Mel loved to hunt deer, elk & moose, but his passion was coyote hunting with his greyhounds. Mel thoroughly enjoyed breeding, training, hunting and generally working with his greyhounds. Mel also loved to pass the time between hunting seasons, fishing at lakes & ponds. He coached his kids' baseball, softball & basketball teams while sponsoring a local baseball team. Mel was a member of the NRA, KS State Rifle Assoc., Lake Buchanan Conservation Corp., Glen Elder Lake Assoc., Moose Lodge #1428, American Legion Post #76, National Federation of Independent Businesses, Heartland Car Wash Assoc., US Chamber of Commerce, Concordia Chamber of Commerce, CCCC T-Bird Club, Sponsor of Pheasants Forever & National Wild Turkey Federation.

He is survived by his wife, Janet; sons, Shannon & wife Jennifer & Chad & wife Missy, all of Concordia; daughter, Kristie Zimmerman & hus. Darrell, Englewood, CO; sisters, Karen Smith & hus. Floyd, Tawas City, MI & Lisa Marietta & hus. Jim, Oskaloosa, KS; stepsons, Jeff Morgan & wife Amanda, Concordia & Jeret Morgan, Highlands Ranch, CO; step daughter, Charla Henry & hus. Brett, Manhattan; mother, Florence Giersch, Concordia; grandchildren, Shelby, Shaelin & Evan Giersch; step grandchildren, Paige & Preston Nelson, Kaycie Henry & Kiersten & Sean Morgan & Mackenzie, Ashley & Samantha Bartlett; aunt, Dorothy Giersch, Basehor; sister in law, Pat Breault & hus. Isadore, Grand Island, NE.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara; his father, Melvin Giersch; uncle, Verlin Giersch & aunts, Viola Bell Phillips & Vineta Ione Whitworth.

It was Mel's wishes to be cremated and Memorial services will be held at 10:30 am, Thurs., Nov. 14, 2013 at the First Christian Church, Concordia with Pastor Jeff Nielsen officiating. Friends may sign the register book from 9 am to 9 pm with the family greeting friends from 7-9 pm on Wed., Nov. 13, 2013 at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to American Legion Post #76 or NWTF-Jakes Youth Program for a lifetime hunting license in care of the funeral home.