Melvin "Mel" Heiser

Melvin “Mel” Heiser entered into eternal life on January 22, 2024 at age 89 in Madison.  Mel was born on the family farm near Plain, WI on January 4th, 1935 along with his identical twin brother Marvin. He attended Catholic grade and high school at St. Luke’s in Plain. Mel proudly served in the US Army from 1955-1957. After four months of basic and advanced training at Fort Leonard MO, he served twenty months doing office work with the lST AA Regional Command in the Army air defense of the East Coast at Fort Totten, in the borough of Queens, New York City.

After two years doing various jobs, he and his twin brother decided to attend the University of

Wisconsin. Mel was encouraged to go back to school by college graduates he met in the Army.

Mel and his brother financed their education by working summers at the American Motors

automobile factory in Kenosha, WI.

He graduated in 1963 from the UW school of business. After four years of banking, Mel took a

job with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue as an auditor for twenty-nine years. Mel also

worked part-time for nearly 47 years as an usher and guard at the Dane County Coliseum and

Alliant Energy center. During that time, he saw many well known entertainers perform.

Mel traveled extensively to National Parks in the United States, the Canadian Rockies, Italy,

Germany and other European countries and Israel.

Mel was a dedicated Badger, Packer and Milwaukee Brewer fan. He participated in the sports

of baseball, bowling, golf, volleyball, skiing, hunting, MSCR softball and later in life, Greater

Madison senior softball.

Mel was a member of the American Legion Post #0398 in Plain, WI, Catholic Order of

Foresters, Madison Packer Backers and St. Maria Goretti Divine Mercy Prayer Council.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Roman and Caroline, sisters Margaret (Frank) Lucht,

Valeria (Thomas) Griffith, Carolyn (Elmer Kilian), brothers Bernard, Clarence (Delores), Viator,

Victor, Roman, jr. (Florence), Kenneth (Ann) and LeRoy (Michelle).  He is survived by his brother Marvin (Judy) and numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church, 5313 Flad Ave., Madison, WI 53711 on January 30, 2024 at 10:30 am with Father Scott Emerson, JCL presiding.  Visitation will take place from 9:30 am until the time of Mass.  Burial will be in the family plot at St. Luke’s Cemetery, Plain, WI January 30, 2024 at 3:00 pm with Military graveside rites conducted by American Legion Post #0398.    

A huge thank you to the staff at St. Mary’s Hospital and SSM Hospice at Home for giving Mel such compassionate Care.   Donations in Mel’s name can be made to St. Maria Goretti, Madison, St. Luke’s, Plain, WI, or SSM Hospice at Home, Madison.  

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