Melvin Sydow

Melvin F. Sydow, 91 of Westfield, passed away at his home Wednesday, December 29, 2021 surrounded by his family.  Mel was born September 18, 1930 in Michigan City, IN to the late George W. Sydow Sr., and Edna I. (Smith) Sydow.  He graduated from Michigan City Elston high school in 1949 and was the editor of the school newspaper and he was known as the “Sideline Snooper”.

After high school he decided to join the military. Mel was a US Navy veteran serving from 1951 to 1955.  He was a radio operator on the USS Tripoli and was stationed in Panama for two years.  He was an extremely patriotic person.

After the military he met the love of his life, his wife of 65 years Rosemary.   They married and moved to Speedway, IN where they resided for over 35 years where Mel owned and operated Mel’s Barber Shop.  After retiring from barbering, he worked in sales for Koch News Co./Indiana Periodicals for 20 years.  He was a member of the Speedway American Legion.

Mel lived life to the fullest enjoying golf, fishing, IU basketball and his beloved Chicago Cubs, never missing a game.  The light of his life were his grandkids rarely missing a game or activity they had.

A special thank you to Mel’s doctors for over 25 years Dr. Klaus Hilgarth, who he thought the world of and his cardiologist Dr. Woodrow Corey and his nurse Brenda for their care and compassion.

A service celebrating Melvin’s life will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, January 10 at Flanner Buchanan-Carmel, where family and friends are invited to gather from 11:00 am until the time of the service.

Mel is survived by his wife of 65 years, Rosemary (Grubbs); daughter, Elaine D. (husband, Gordon) Shaw and grandchildren, Jason C. Shaw and Amanda M. Shaw, brothers, Leroy (wife, Dolly) Sydow and Larry (wife, Paula, dec.) Sydow.  He was preceded in death by his brother, George W. Sydow, Jr (wife, Lucy, dec) and sister, Doris Neibert (husband, Bud, dec.)

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.