David Thomas Melle

David Thomas "Dak" Melle, 66, of Catawba Island, Ohio passed away at his home on Monday, August 11, 2008, after a long illness. He was born in Toledo, OH on October 15, 1941 to Loraine (Mersing) and Warren Melle, the youngest of four children. On August 18, 1962, he married Janey Lucille Hentges of Bowling Green, OH. She survives, along with daughters Bonnie Jane (David) Fraylick of Elyria, OH and Cheryl Lynn Melle of Akron, OH, and three grandsons, Jacob, Jeffrey and Jared Fraylick. Also surviving are siblings Patricia (Dale) Uerkwitz, and Phillip (Sally) Melle, both of Toledo, OH, Marilyn (William) Kline, of Perrysburg, OH and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents. David graduated from Toledo Central HS, Bowling Green State University, and the University of Iowa. He was band director in the Elmwood Schools 1963-1964 and Professor of Performance Studies in the BGSU College of Music from 1967-1995, teaching flute and clarinet, performing in the Venti da Camera (faculty woodwind quintet), and directing the award-winning Jazz Lab Band. Dave was a well-known musician in the Toledo area for many years, playing in the Toledo Zoo Concert Band and occasionally with the Toledo Symphony. He also "gigged" for most of his life, beginning at age 13 in Toledo Teen Towns for $3.00. Throughout his school years and beyond, he contracted bands for dances, bar mitzvas, and wedding receptions and played a number of years with the Johnny Knorr Orchestra. His doubling abilities earned him many jobs with ice shows, circuses, and other theatrical productions. He helped found the Toledo Jazz Orchestra in 1980-82, and returned as its director 1996-2003. He produced 14 recordings and was a highly regarded arranger for big bands, jazz ensembles, soloists, vocalists and commercials (jingles). His musical legacy includes many former students who have become teachers, performers, recording artists, studio musicians, Broadway orchestral players and conductors. In 2003 David was honored as one of the first inductees into the Toledo Central Catholic High School Music Hall of Fame. Fishing and boating were lifetime loves and he spent many days on Lake Erie with family and friends, as well as many summers cruising throughout the Great Lakes region with wife, Janey. In later years he developed a passion for cooking. Visitation will be held at Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, 1124 Fulton Street, Port Clinton, OH on Thursday, August 14, 2008 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm, where memorial services will be held on Friday, August 15, 2008 at 10:00 AM with Father Marty Nassr officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870. On line condolences may be expressed at www.neideckerleveckcrosser.com Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Port Clinton Chapel 1124 Fulton Street Port Clinton, OH US 43452