Melvin John Klatt

Melvin John Klatt, 96, Sister Bay, peacefully passed away on January 14, 2026 at Serenity Springs at Scandia Village in Sister Bay.

He was born May 19, 1929 in Milwaukee, the son of John Edward and Marie Klatt (Palkowski). Melvin completed his bachelor’s degree at University of Wisconsin - Madison, his master’s degree at University of Denver and his PhD at Indiana University.

Melvin joined the U.S. Army in 1951, serving a tour in Korea, and was honorably discharged in 1953.

In 1957, he married Shirley Ryan in Delavan, WI and they were blessed with 68 years of marriage. Melvin and Shirley lived in Milwaukee; Denver; Bloomington, IN; and Wheaton, IL before retiring in Ellison Bay in 1996.

Melvin worked as a faculty member and Director of the A.C. Buehler Library at Elmhurst College from 1974-1996, where he was instrumental in the development of the college's art collection. Before joining Elmhurst College, he served as assistant dean of the Graduate School of Library Science at Rosary College, director of libraries at University of Denver, and head of acquisitions at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

He was a member of American Library Association and Kiwanis and enjoyed volunteering at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in his retirement.

Melvin will be missed by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Mary (Richard) Foster of Ellison Bay [and their children, Brandon, Kate, Anna]; son, Johnathon (Jeff Spychalski) of Camas, WA; son, Peter Ryan (Shari) Klatt of Bartlett, IL [and their children, Tyler, Aidan, and Joli]; sister, Janice (John) Zera of Franklin, WI; and nephews, Mark Zera, and Phillip Zera.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Florence Klatt; and nephew, John Zera.

Melvin's life will be honored with a Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at Stella Maris Parish, 2410 S Bay Shore Dr, Sister Bay, with Fr. Thomas Farrell officiating. He will be laid to rest in St. Rosalia Catholic Cemetery in Sister Bay.

Friends may call from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Memorials may be given in his name to Birch Creek Music Performance Center (PO Box 230, Egg Harbor WI 54209; www.birchcreek.org/support/give) or Friends of Door County Library (107 S 4th Ave, Sturgeon Bay WI 54235).

Casperson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, LLC in Sister Bay is assisting the Klatt family. Expressions of sympathy, memories, and photos of Melvin may be shared with his family through his tribute page at CaspersonFuneralHome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin John Klatt, please visit our floral store.