Michael Melichar Obituary, Death – Michael Melichar of Port Washington, Wisconsin has passed away. On November 6, Michael Melichar was born in Port Washington to Benjamin and Grace Melichar. He grew raised on the family dairy farm in Port Washington and graduated from Port Washington High School in 1980. On April 9, 1983, he married the love of his life, Sherrilynn Schroeter, and they had two boys, Adam and Brad. Michael may be described in one word: generous. He had attended St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Silver Creek for many years before moving on to First Congregational United Church of Christ in Port Washington. He afterwards joined the River of Life Lutheran Church in Saukville.
He was never bashful about providing a helping hand to a fellow farmer or neighbor after taking over his family farm as an adult. He had an unrivaled work ethic, was naturally nice and generous, and was always eager to listen to and laugh with others. He was an active part of his community, serving for many years on the Port Washington Town Council. Before becoming town chairman for nearly 10 years, he served on the Board of Appeals, as a town supervisor, and on the local Planning Commission. He was a member of the Saukville Gun Club and took part in the annual Saukville Gun Club Disabled Veterans Shoot. He was named the 2016 Most Improved Shooter by his peers.
He was an active volunteer for Ozaukee County 4-H and served on the board of the 4-H Foundation. He was a frequent giver and bidder at the 4-H Livestock Auction, and he received the Friends of 4-H Award. He also volunteered with the Port Washington Wrestling Program. Michael’s main interest was farming. Melichar Broad Acres, which he co-owned with his son Adam, was his pride and joy. He has grown the farm from a tiny family farm to what it is now, claiming that their milk is used to make the best string cheese in the world at Cedar Valley Cheese. He served on the Ozaukee County Dairy Promotion Committee, the Kettle Lakes Co-op Board of Directors, the Lakeshore Technical College Board, and the National Dairy Herd Association, where he received the Southeastern Wisconsin Friend of the Eastern Wisconsin DHIC Award.
He was most recently the president of the farming conservation group Clean Farm Families, as well as one of the first three farms to join the Ozaukee County Farm Demonstration Network. He mentored and accepted dozens of young individuals over the years. He taught his nephews Curtiss, Kevin, Jeffery, Daniel, Michael, Joe, and his “sons” Jorge, Efren, and Robert, as well as many other family members, friends, and neighbors, on the farm. He liked to travel with his wife and family. He was an avid BBQ aficionado (together with his lifetime friends) and a fantastic liquor expert. His grandchildren call him “Treat Man” or “The Best Grandpa Ever.”
His wife, Sherri, sons Adam (Kendall) and Brad (Leah), and grandchildren Carter, Grant, Scarlett, Alexa, and Collins survive him. His honorary parents, Bob and Carol Noll, and siblings Kate Smith, Steve (Barb) Melichar, Peggy (Michael) Stenberg, Ben (Cheryl) Melichar, Grace (Stephen) Prom, and Tom (Lisa) Melichar survive him, as do his mother-in-law, Donna Schroeter, and in-laws Steve (Nancy) Schroeter, Shelly (Randy) Bell, Scott (Jenny). His mother and father, Grace and Benjamin Melichar, as well as his brother Danny Melichar, nieces Carrie Ballbach and Jessica Schroeter, nephews Brandon Melichar and Justin Bell, and father-in-law Vilas Schroeter, died before him.