Karl B. Melnick

Karl Melnick, age 65, of Oconomowoc, passed away peacefully on July 31st surrounded by family after a 9 year battle with cancer.

Karl was born on October 5th, 1958 in Akron, Ohio to Paul and Judy Melnick, their youngest son. Karl graduated with a degree in Business from UW-Milwaukee, kickstarting his 40 year career as a Financial Advisor. Helping clients with their financial planning and knowing them on a personal level brought Karl immense joy. 

Karl met his loving wife, Colleen, at work, and didn’t stop trying to make her laugh for the entirety of their 29 years of marriage. Karl enjoyed his many trips with family and friends over the years-particularly sitting in the sun and reading. Karl’s children were his world and he was so proud to watch them grow and flourish.

In 2022, Karl retired and spent his well-earned free time going on many long walks with his beloved yellow lab, Bucky, and trap shooting at gun clubs with anyone he could convince to come with him.

Karl was predeceased by both of his parents. He is survived by his wife, Colleen, and his two children, Molly (John) and Ian. He leaves behind his three siblings, Paul (Nancy) Melnick, John (Patty) Melnick, Barbara Williams, and her late husband Trefor. As well as his brother-in-law, Jeff Stenzel, and the late Kathleen Stenzel. His best friends will miss their source of constant comic relief.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Dr. Hake, Karl’s oncologist, and his team for putting up with Karl’s humor and constant jokes for the better part of a decade. They treated Karl as a whole person and not just as a cancer patient. The family hopes none of Dr. Hake’s future patients pretend to swallow their suppositories.

Services will be held at St Charles Catholic Church in Hartland, WI on Monday, August 12th. Visitation will be from 12 pm-2 pm, with the Memorial Mass starting at 2 pm. Immediately following the service, an Irish wake will be held at Revere’s Wells Street Tavern in Delafield. All are welcome to attend and share their favorite stories and celebrate with Guinness, Whiskey, and Irish music, as Karl wished. For those who cannot make it to the funeral service, a live stream will be available on the church website.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization Karl supported.