MICHAEL L. DE MEULMEESTER, 82

(veteran)

Services for Michael L. DeMeulmeester, 82 of Crowell Memorial Home and formerly of Omaha who died September 11, 1994 at Immanuel Medical Center were Wednesday, September 14 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Omaha with the rosary at Larkin Funeral Home in Omaha on Tuesday. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Military honors were by members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Michael L. DeMeulmeester was born in Belgium April 8, 1912 to Charles and Maria “Mary” Vanovertveld DeMeulmeester. He immigrated to the United States as a child with his parents, who settled in South Omaha. He attended St. Mary’s Grade School and later went to Corrigan School, graduating in 1928.

He joined the United States Army in July 1944 and served as a rifleman in the Fourth, Sixth and Ninth Combat Infantry Divisions in the Pacific Theater. He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Philippines Liberation Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

He was discharged at the end of the war with the rank of sergeant. He reentered the service in 1946 as a mess sergeant and completed an eight year tour as a cook.

After leaving the service, he completed his selective service time as a cook at Veterans Hospital in Omaha, retiring in 1972. He was also a Cudahy Parking Plant (error -- should be “Packing” Plant) employee for 13 years where he weighed, boned and rolled hams and kept records on hams in storage and of the number of hams handled.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Prior to joining the Army, he married Clara Ottis of Omaha August 12, 1939 in Omaha.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Cecilia and his parents.

He is survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Robert C. DeMeulmeester, Sr. of Omaha and formerly of Blair; and James and Judy DeMeulmeester of Plattsmouth; a sister, Alice Ebert of Omaha; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Lt. Col. Roger and Bridget McCleskey and their three children, Beale Air Force Base, California; Pam and Rich Hansen and one child, Omaha; Robert, Jr. and Diane and two children of Blair; Lorrie and Todd Ackerman and one child, Aurora, Colorado; and Bart and Denise DeMeulmeester and two children of Parkville, Missouri.