Mel Duane (Holly) Holopirek, Maize
May 10, 1942 - November 29, 2023
Mel Duane (Holly) Holopirek, age 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, passed away at his home in Maize, Kansas November 29, 2023, after an extended battle with cancer. Mel was born in La Crosse, Kansas May 10, 1942, to Ernest and Pauline (Krug) Holopirek.
Growing up in the small town of Timken, his brothers Rick and Ken were his best teammates with sister Deb as cheerleader whether they were playing organized basketball in the Timken Grade School gym or baseball in the lot south of the family home. From a young age Mel spent many hours helping his dad at Ernie’s Oil Company. He loved summer baseball.
Mel graduated from Bison High School participating in football, basketball, and track, then graduating from Fort Hays State College with a B.S. in business administration.
Mel served his country in the U.S. Air Force, where he rose to the rank of Captain as a Titan II Missile Commander.
He and Darnell Keller Heskett eloped August 17, 1969. After making their first home in Tucson, AZ , they returned home to Kansas where career opportunities led to Oakley, Colby, and Ft. Scott.
Mel retired as vice president of Farmers Bank and Trust, Albert, Kansas in 2014.
Mel will be remembered as a man who exhibited incredible discipline. An avid jogger, he logged three to four (or more) miles a day until he was 70. Holly loved nothing more than a pick-up game of basketball with his kids–where he regularly would win–or to follow their sports activities across Kansas. After moving to Maize, Mel continued to show his love of both family and sports with his involvement in his grandchildren’s lives. Terra, Jemelle and Lander are all KSU graduates; many memorable tailgates were enjoyed in the parking lot of the Manhattan Medical Center with friends of friends always welcomed. The family and many friends loved hours of fun at Cram-A-Lot Inn at Lake Wilson.
Mel and Darnell retired to Maize in December 2014 where he could watch his grandchildren in their many sports activities. A man of God, his Life Church family was a source of joy and peace for him. Holly left a lasting impression on so many with his huge heart, authenticity, integrity, and generosity who will always be remembered as one who placed his family first in his life.
Preceded in death by his parents, Mel is survived by his wife of 54 years, Darnell; daughters Terra (Alan) Zerr, Stillwater OK, Jemelle Ebers, Wichita, and son Lander (Kary) Holopirek, Wamego and grandchildren Steele, Shaye, and Stratten Ebers. In addition, he is greatly missed by brothers Rick (Kathy), Ken, sister Debra (Eric) Kohn, and sister and brother-in-law Ranell and Lile Lunsway as well as many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Life Church West Wichita, 3210 N. Maize Rd., Wichita Kansas. Inurnment will be in the Fort Scott National Cemetery with military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Mel and Darnell Holopirek Educational Scholarship at Barton Community College in care of the Barton Community College Foundation, 245 NE 30 RD, Great Bend, Kansas 67530.
Arrangements entrusted to Heritage Funeral Home, Andover and online guest book may be signed at www.heritageofandover.com.