Melvin Eugene Bleich, 96, of Romeo, died on Dec. 24, 2017 at his home. He was born on Feb. 24, 1921 in Detroit and grew up in Royal Oak. On July 9, 1942, he married Joan Calvin in Detroit.
Mr. Bleich graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1938. He graduated from Wayne University in Detroit before entering the Army in 1942. He served in the 106th Infantry Division in Europe and was wounded in March 1945. By 1949 he worked in newspaper advertising for the Federal Department Stores. On May 1, 1959 Joan and Mel became the owners of The Romeo Observer and published the weekly newspaper until it closed in June 24, 2015. Mel was a lifelong member of Romeo Rotary where he enjoyed 53 years of perfect attendance.
He is survived by his daughter, Dianne of Austin, Texas; sons, Robert of Leonard and Thomas (Frances Cox-Bleich) of Santa Fe, N.M.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Bleich, on Sept. 3, 2005.
Memorial services will be held 11 a.m., Saturday Dec. 30 at the Malburg Funeral Home in Romeo.
Burial is in Romeo Cemetery.
