Harvey G. Melson, age 85, of Ocean View, DE passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023 after a short stay at the Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown, DE.

Harvey was born in Millville, DE on July 27, 1938 son of the late Edward James Melson and the late Nellie Mae (Steele) Melson.  He retired as a poultry farmer working for Bill and Lemuel Wingate, Edward S. Cordrey and Raymond Townsend.  After his retirement as a poultry farmer, he went to work part-time at the Mallard Lakes pool as a lifeguard and pool supervisor. He loved swimming and found much enjoyment during the day poolside and met many of his lifelong friends there. After his retirement from Mallard Lakes, he found a new hobby of putting jigsaw puzzles together. When visiting with him you rarely came in and not see a card table set up in the living room with a puzzle he was in the middle of finishing. He also had the TV on with the Grande Ole Opry playing because he loved listening to the music.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Ruth Ann Melson in 2013 and his longtime companion, Ethel Frances Tripp in October of this year.  He is survived by his three brothers, Ward Melson (Jody) of Seaford, DE, Michael Melson of Clarksville, DE and Ralph Melson (Clascendra) of Greenwood, DE; two sisters-in-law, Pauline "Penny" White of Georgetown, DE and Betty Jane Atkins of Millsboro DE.  Harvey is also survived by seven nieces and nephews, Wayne White of Milton, DE, Patty Bodenweiser of Georgetown, DE, Mark Melson of Seaford, DE, Tanya McClain of Seaford, DE, Rhonda Melson of Delmar, DE, Sherri McVaugh of Tiona, PA and Linda Holston of Georgetown, DE; a special cousin, Sherry Littleton of Frankford, DE and several great nieces and nephews.

He had many friends and ones near and dear to his heart were Jenna and Justin Bowra; Horace and Laura Walker and his neighbors he so fondly referred to as "the best neighbors a person could ask for", Dave and Tracy Walker.

A funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at the Frankford Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 43 Thatcher St., Frankford, DE 19945, where friends and family may call after 12 noon.  Interment will follow at St. George's Cemetery in Clarksville, DE.