Melvin John Poledna, 91, of Laurel, formerly of West Point, died July 20, 2005 at Hill Crest Care Center in Laurel. Services will be 1:30 pm. Saturday at Grace Lutheran Church in West Point with Reverend Carl Kramer officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation will be 3:00 pm. until 8:00 pm. Friday at Stokely Funeral Home in West Point. Those wishing to leave on line condolences may do so at www.stokelyfuneralhome.com. Melvin was born March 12, 1914 at West Point to Paul and Lucy Benne Poledna. He was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church and attended West Point Public School. In 1930 he began working for the Nebraska State Department of Roads. While with the department, he worked as a supervisor retiring in 1979, with the longest continuing service to Nebraska Government at that time. In January of 1935, he married Elsbeth Prawitz. The couple lived in West Point, Wayne, settling in Laurel in the late 1940’s. Melvin was a member of Royal Neighbors Survivors include his daughters Melva Rodas of Campbell, CA, Shirley Thissen of Santa Clara, CA, sisters Lucille Kindschuh of West Point and Lorraine Dickey of Spencer, brother Dennis “Whitey” (Lucille) of Omaha, grandchildren Jeff and Michael Rodas, Valorie Wood, Brett, Brian and Joni Thissen, Lori Thissen Cutright and Nancy Tengan. He is preceded in death by his wife Elsbeth in 1987 and brother Levi “Vic”.