Sunday, 26 April 2026 by Sagacity

Melycher Family History

John & May, Mary, Michael, William, Stephen, Michael Jr, Suzanna, Anthony, Anna, Myrtle & Joseph Melycher

My Aunt Jackie married Willie Melycher in 1987. I wrote and shared some memories of their wedding previously. Somewhere around 2003, I stopped and visited Willie. We ended up talking about family history and he whipped out this family history. I have had it in my possession since then. I eventually scanned it so I had a digital copy. Recently I had it transcribed. Now I make it available in a much easier format.

MELYCHER FAMILY HISTORY

This history was compiled by Mary A. Melycher in memory of my husband Anthony F. Melycher. Information was given by family members, vital statistics and birth certificates. It is hoped that each member receiving a copy please keep it updated so that it will be a valuable source of information for the future.

The information was completed on this date January 14, 1986.

The Melycher family name was entered in the American Immigrants Wall of Honor by M.A. Melycher. It will be permanently displayed in the renowned Ellis Island, where the family arrived when they came to America.

Michael Melycher

Born in Austria in the year of 1869 (this information taken from birth certificate of Anthony F. Melycher and from a prayer card given out at the time of the funeral). He died in Bridgeport, Conn. August 22, 1947 at the age of 78. He married Suzanna Gajdosik, who was also born in Austria in the year 1878 (this information taken from birth certificate of Anthony F. Melycher and from prayer card given at the funeral). They were married in Austria. Suzanna died in Bridgeport Conn. on January 7, 1959. They had ten children, one died in Austria. Michael, John and Stephen were all born in Austria, and Joseph, Anna, and Mary were born in Croton Falls, New York, Anthony, William and Rudolph were born in Connecticut.

They operated a large dairy farm on Pond Brook Road, in Newtown, Conn. until their retirement, when they went to live with their daughter, Anna Dzurka, in Bridgeport, Conn. Before the farm was sold many acres of land were given to family members who either built on it, sold it or passed it on to their heirs. The homestead still stands on Pond Brook Road in Newtown, Conn.

Michael Melycher had the first accredited tuberculin tested dairy herd in the area. The farm was a large one averaging around two hundred acres and was operated by family members.

Michael Melycher donated land to build a school in the area of George’s Hill Road, which when discontinued reverted back to him and sold to Thomas and Belle Nicholl.

Michael Melycher

Date of birth – April 14, 1900. Married Helen Moyle Sept. 13, 1937.

Children born of this marriage:

Michael Melycher III – date of birth – April 9, 1939, in Kentucky

Michael Melycher III was married and had four children by the first marriage:

Patty Melycher – date of birth 10-17-62, in California

Kris Melycher – date of birth – 10-29-63 in California

Susie Melycher – date of birth – 6-1-65 in California

Cara Melycher – date of birth – 2-25-69 in California

Michael Melycher III divorced and remarried and adopted Michael C. Melycher – 1-16-77 and had a stepson Jon – date of birth 11-1

Michael Melycher died April 30, 1997

John R. Melycher

Date of birth – April 29, 1902. In Austria, Date of death Feb. 16, 1985

Married

Stephen D. Melycher

Date of birth – Feb. 15, 1906 in Austria. He became a Catholic priest and served in the U.S. Army overseas as a Chaplain.

Joseph R. Melycher, Sr.

Date of birth August 16, 1910 in Croton Falls, New York. Married Myrtle Beardsley Nov. 28, 1935 in Newtown, Conn. Three children born of this marriage, Joseph, Jr., Ronald, Maureen. Divorced Myrtle and married Virginia Scofield. Divorced Virginia and married Phyllis Una Burton May 6, 1961.

Joseph R. Melycher, Jr.

Date of birth – April 15, 1936

Married Sandra Johnson and had two children, Mark and Michael

Joseph R. Melycher, Jr. divorced Sandra and married Mary McCann (divorced)

Mark Melycher – date of birth – April 16, 1957, Danbury, Conn.

Michael Melycher – date of birth – March 10, 1960.

Mark Melycher

Date of birth – April 16, 1957, Danbury, Conn. Married Pollyanna Parks April 15, 1979. Three children born of this marriage: Chrystal Melycher date of birth – August 17, 1979, and twin daughters, Bonnie and Jennifer Melycher – date of birth – February 4, 1981. All born in Danbury, Conn.

Anna Melycher

Date of birth – March 10, 1912 – in Croton Falls, New York. Married Anthony Dzurka in Newtown, Conn. Oct. 22, 1938. One child born of this marriage: Carolyn Dzurka – date of birth – July 13, 1940, Bridgeport, Conn.

Anna Dzurka died Aug. 14, 1990 in Bridgeport, Conn.

Mary Melycher

Date of birth – February 28, 1914. Married Alfred Appell in Newtown, Conn. Oct. 30, 1937. One daughter born of this marriage: Suzanne Appell – date of birth – June 10, 1940 in Danbury, Conn.

Suzanne Appell married Ronald Gaucher in Florida (divorced). Married later.

Joseph R. Melycher, Sr.

Date of birth – August 16, 1910 – Croton Falls, New York

Married Myrtle Beardsley Nov. 28, 1935 in Newtown, Conn. (divorced)

Children born of this marriage:

Joseph R. Melycher, Jr. – date of birth – April 15, 1936

Married Sandra Johnson and had two children, Mark, and Michael. Joseph R. Melycher, Jr. divorced Sandra and married Mary McCann (divorced)

Ronald Michael Melycher – date of birth – July 23, 1938, in Sandy Hook, Newtown, Conn.

Married Patricia Ann Trocolla Dec. 21, 1957 in St. Joseph’s Church, Danbury, Conn. They had four children and adopted one.

Coreen Melycher, Tracie Melycher, Ronald Melycher, Stephen Melycher, and (adopted) William Melycher.

Maureen Melycher – date of birth – June 1943.

Married George Duncan in Danbury, Conn. and had three children, George Duncan, Craig Duncan, Robert Duncan.

Joseph R. Melycher, Sr. also married Virginia Scofield. (divorced)

Joseph Melycher, Sr. married Phyllis Una Burton May 6, 1961

Linda H. (George Duncan), son of Maureen, had two children – Amanda

Craig D. and Linda I. Duncan-Melycher had a son born in Danbury Hospital that died in infancy Dec. 16, 1989. Craig D. Duncan is a son of Maureen Melycher-Duncan.

Anthony Francis Melycher

Date of birth – November 15, 1915, Bridgeport, Conn. Died at Danbury Hospital September 8, 1984 of intracerebral hemorrhage.

Married Mary Ann Rzchowski June 24, 1939, St. Rose of Lima Church, Newtown, Conn. He was a trailer truck driver for thirty years, and started and operated Melycher’s Danbury Exterminating Company until he retired in 1981.

Children born of this marriage: Anthony F. Melycher, Jr., Donald William Melycher, Richard Phillip Melycher, Karen Louise Melycher, and Jean Marie Melycher.

Anthony Francis Melycher, Jr. date of birth – April 14, 1940, Danbury, Ct. Died June 2, 1979 in an automobile accident in New Milford, Conn.

Married Christine Brenda Lucsky February 1, 1964 in Danbury, Conn.

Children born or adopted in this marriage: (Served U.S. Army Reserves)

David Anthony Melycher – date of birth – January 17, 1970 in New Milford, Conn.

Melissa Kim Melycher – (adopted) July 27, 1972. Date of birth March 18, 1967, Seoul, Korea.

Leah Melycher – (adopted November 17, 1976) – date of birth – May 2, 1974, Seoul, Korea.

Christine Brenda Melycher married Donald Wharton January 1, 1983 – (divorce January 28, 1985).

Christine Melycher Wharton adopted Adela delCarmen Wharton (DOB 1-81)

Donald William Melycher – date of birth – March 5, 1941, Danbury, Conn. Served in U.S. Air Force November 1959 – November 1962.

Married Patricia Frances Graff November 23, 1962 in Clifton, New Jersey. (divorced)

Children born of this marriage: Timothy Francis Melycher, Todd Christophe Melycher, Tracey Elizabeth Melycher (adopted), and Dennis Melycher.

Timothy Francis Melycher – date of birth – October 13, 1963, Fort Worth, Texas. Served in U.S. Submarine Service of the U.S. Navy.

Todd Christopher Melycher – date of birth – September 12, 1966 in New Jersey. Served in U.S. Navy.

Tracey Elizabeth Melycher – date of birth – September 1, 1967. (adopted). Enlisted in U.S. Air Force.

Dennis Melycher – May 12, 1970 in New Jersey.

Richard Phillip Melycher – date of birth – September 5, 1942, Danbury, Conn.

Married Barbara Boergermann October 12, 1974 in St. Peter’s Church, Danbury, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Jacqueline Theresa Melycher – date of birth – March 17, 1983, Danbury, Conn.

Richard Phillip Melycher, Jr. – date of birth, April 11, 1986, Danbury, Conn.

Karen Louise Melycher – date of birth – August 23, 1943, Danbury, Conn.

Married Vincent Weis June 5, 1965 St. Peter’s Church, Danbury, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Jean Louise Weis – date of birth – May 24, 1966, Danbury, Conn.

Jason Weis – date of birth – January 22, 1972, Danbury, Conn.

Jean Marie Melycher – date of birth – July 14, 1945, Danbury, Conn. Died July 19, 1945 in Danbury Hospital of prematurity. Buried in St. Peter’s Cemetery Section #12 No. 760.

William Francis Melycher

Date of birth – September 21, 1918. Married Laura Henrietta Einsman June 13, 1943.

Laura Henrietta (Einsman) date of birth October 16, 1917, died August 31, 1971.

Children born of this marriage:

Arthur William Melycher, Diane Marie Melycher, William Francis Melycher, Jr.

Arthur William Melycher, date of birth – November 5, 1948. Married Monica Ellen Patronelli – date of birth – June 6, 1953 – marriage date March 11, 1972.

Children born of this marriage:

Michael Arthur Melycher, date of birth – Sept. 20, 1972

Sean Thomas Melycher, date of birth – May 12, 1975

Laura Bridgett Melycher, date of birth – February 5, 1983

Active duty in U.S. Navy Aug. 27, 1967, to retire August 1, 1988

YNC Chief Petty Officer Arthur W. Melycher

Diane Marie Melycher, date of birth – January 11, 1954. Married Joseph Tenk October 21, 1977. Registered nurse

Children born of this marriage:

Daniell Kristen Tenk – date of birth – January 15, 1986 Norwalk Hospital

William Francis Melycher, Jr. date of birth March 25, 1955. Married Paula Larsen 6-18-82 (divorced). Married Jacqueline Jonas 7-23-88. May Melycher date of birth 1-21-89.

Rudolph Melycher

Date of birth – March 17, 1920. Died in Newtown, Conn. on September 20, 1920 of Cholera.

William, Joseph, Michael, Stephen, John, and Anthony Melycher

Ronald Michael Melycher, Sr.

Date of birth – July 23, 1938, Sandy Hook, Conn.

Married Patricia Ann Trocolla – Date of birth – January 22, 1939.

Married in St. Joseph’s Church, Danbury, Conn. – December 21, 1957.

Ronald Melycher, Sr. married Irene Bonadio in Newtown, CT. 9-16-1989

Children born of this marriage:

1. Coreen Ann Melycher – date of birth – July 3, 1958, born Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn. Married Raymond DeBettencourt, Jr. April 23, 1982, Danbury, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Sean Patrick DeBettencourt, date of birth, October 25, 1982, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Coreen and Raymond DeBettencourt divorced October 1995

2. Ronald Michael Melycher, Jr. – date of birth – November 16, 1959, Danbury Hospital. (DOB 12-22-52)

Married Debra Lynn Barry – June 20, 1981, St. Joseph’s Church, Brookfield, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Joshua Michael Melycher – date of birth – August 3, 1983, Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, Conn.

Heather Lynn Melycher – date of birth – Nov. 11, 1987, Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, Conn.

3. Tracie Marie Melycher – date of birth – November 9, 1960, Danbury Hospital

Married Richard J. Coyle, October 22, 1983, St. Joseph’s Church, Brookfield, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Jennifer Marie Coyle – date of birth – March 18, 1984, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn.

Emily Ann Coyle – date of birth – March 20, 1987, Danbury Hospital

Caitlin Mary Coyle – date of birth – June 12, 1988, Danbury Hospital

4. Stephen James Melycher – date of birth – September 2, 1964, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn.

5. William Joseph Melycher – date of birth – November 21, 1968. (adopted June 1970).

William Joseph Melycher and Terry Quilinin had a son born May 8, 1988, William Joseph at Danbury Hospital

William J. Melycher married Terry Quilinin Feb. 6, 1989 in Brookfield

Grandchildren Marriages

Jean Louise Weis to John A. Oman Oct. 23, 1986, King Street United Church Of Christ, King Street, Danbury, Conn. Reception at Fireside Inn, Newtown, Conn.

Melissa Kim Melycher married Dean Edward Jordan, June 4, 1988, Trinity Lutheran Church, Rt. #7, New Milford, Conn. Reception Fern’s Rt. #7 New Milford, Ct. (thunderstorm in progress during ceremony)

Great Grand Children

Jennifer Lynn Oman Born in AirForce Hospital, New Hampshire, July 29, 1987. 7 lbs. 1 Oz. 20 inches long.

Michael David Melycher – date of birth – Nov. 23, 1987 to Tracey Melycher in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Coral Springs.

Melycher Family History Download

Saturday, 4 October 2025 by Sagacity

As state loses small towns, Minidoka fights to stay alive

A lone pickup leaves the tiny rural town of Minidoka via Broadway Street on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. “The only time we get a crowd is at a city council meeting,” Mayor Julie Peterson told the *Times-News*.” Now that Minidoka has lost its post office, Peterson says she hopes the town can keep its incorporated status.

DREW NASH, TIMES-NEWS

City officials of the tiny town of Minidoka don’t want to end up like their counterparts in Atomic City, Hamer and Oxford.

All three of those Idaho cities have disincorporated over the past five years. Instead of a city council and mayor, county commissioners are now in charge.

“We are fighting,” Minidoka Mayor Julie Peterson said. “Actually, all four city council members, the mayor, and the attorney are doing everything in our power to stay incorporated and to stay compliant with all the government regulations.”

The rural community with a shrinking population sits on 64 acres on the eastern border of Minidoka County, just off Idaho Highway 24 — 13 miles northeast of Rupert and 50 miles southeast of Shoshone.

Idaho Highway 24 near Minidoka is seen Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Minidoka County. Travelers turn right onto Broadway to go into town or left to stay on Highway 24 to go to Shoshone, 50 miles away.

In the dozen or so years that the mayor has lived in Minidoka, she has seen a third of the town’s population disappear, dropping from 112 in 2010 to 75 now.

“Kids are growing up and moving away,” Peterson said.

And now, Minidoka’s post office in the Town Hall is moving out. Later this month, residents will switch to Rupert’s zip code of 83350.

The U.S. Postal Service determined that the Rupert Post Office is “able to fully serve the community,” and the contract post office in Minidoka “is no longer needed,” postal service spokesperson Janella Herron told the Times-News.

“We tried as a city to figure out a way to keep it open,” Peterson said, “but the post office powers that be decided they were just going to close it down.”

The Minidoka Town Hall is seen Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Minidoka County. Until later this month, the Town Hall serves as the tiny community’s post office.

Peterson said she uses the post office for her small business. When it shuts down, she will have to travel to Rupert instead of dropping off her mail in town.

“We’re losing our post office and I know from experience that’s a town killer,” Peterson said.

If the town gave up its incorporated status, she said, Minidoka County could take over the city-owned well and electric provider.

A water tower is seen Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, near Cherry and Broadway streets in the tiny town of Minidoka.

Eventually, “I think the citizens would lose their voice,” the mayor said.

State-imposed budget cap

Few in town “really know what’s going on behind the scenes,” Peterson said. “I don’t think they know the struggles the town is having.”

State law from 2021 is making it difficult for small cities like Minidoka to make plans to grow and pay for infrastructure projects, such as upgrading the city’s well or building a wastewater system.

“House Bill 389 has made it so our really small communities can’t survive and it’s been unfortunate,” said Kelley Packer, executive director of the Association of Idaho Cities.

Speaker of the House Mike Moyle championed House Bill 389 four years ago. The law imposes an 8% annual cap on budget growth for cities across Idaho.

Packer said HB 389 was intended to rein in big cities, but it has hurt small towns the most.

“(Moyle) will not let a solution be heard,” Packer said. “He does not believe the locals. He thinks they are just whining.”

Minidoka City Attorney Paul Ross said HB 389 has been a factor that has led to other cities disincorporating.

“Speaker Moyle and all these pushes that they’ve had to undermine some of these cities and their budgets are totally hammering these little cities,” Ross said.

According to data from Transparent Idaho, Minidoka’s city budget was $167,400 in 2023, with $103,000 in revenue from utility fees and $20,000 from property taxes.

With an 8% cap, the budget can’t grow more than $13,400 per year.

If the people of Minidoka make a strategic, thoughtful plan to grow their city, that cap might make those plans impossible, Packer said.

“One house takes them over that 8% cap now,” she said. “They can’t even — they can’t do it. And that’s what’s happening in these small communities.”

The struggle of a small town

Peterson walks the perimeter of Minidoka with her dog in the mornings.

She picks up garbage if it’s fallen out of dumpsters and uses a spade to pick up goat heads.

“I at least try to help beautify the city up a little bit,” Peterson said.

She was a city councilwoman last spring when the mayor had a heart attack. She became the acting mayor before officially becoming mayor.

The city’s finances were in a bit of trouble when she took over.

A backlog of audits goes back several years, Peterson said. Without an audited budget, cities in Idaho can’t receive state funding.

“They cut you off,” she said. “If you don’t do your audits, if a city doesn’t do their audits, then the state funding … your road tax gets cut off, your sales tax.”

In June, accounting firm Poulsen VanLeuven & Catmull released several years‘ worth of audits, going back to 2022.

According to the fiscal year 2023 audit, the city received a $125,000 USDA Rural Development grant with 3.25% interest for its water system in October 2021. As of September 2023, the remaining balance was $37,000.

That aging water infrastructure is expensive to maintain.

Peterson said the city increased electric rates by $3.50 per month, and the water bill went from $35 to $47.

“We had people coming to City Council saying they can’t afford that increase,” she said.