Melbourne Nibe

Nibe, Lt. Col.

Melbourne "Mel"

Jerome, USAF, (Ret)

Florida: Lt. Col. Melbourne (Mel) Jerome Nibe, USAF, (Ret), born Feb 9, 1924 in Stanhope, Iowa to George and Marie (Stole) Nibe, reposed in the Lord on April 8, 2017 at his home in Lutz, Florida. He was 93 years old. He was predeceased by his wife Maxine, his parents George and Marie Nibe, and his sister Gladys Branyard. He is survived by his beloved sisters Donna See (Nevada, Iowa) and Loraine Kennedy (Kelly, Iowa); his children: Phyllis Ashe (Houston, Texas), Rear Admiral Richard Jerome Nibe, USN, (Ret) (Amelia Island, FL), and Dianne Clader (Lutz, FL) and their respective spouses, his 8 Grandchildren, and 17 Great-Grandchildren.

He honorably served in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific during WWII, and in the United States Air Force in the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He remained in the military until he retired in 1970. He served throughout the United States and in many foreign countries including Wheelus AFB in Tripoli, Libya North Africa, and Clark AFB in the Philippine Islands. He was an honorable man who loved his Savior, his Family and his Country.

Mel enjoyed golfing and fishing, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He had a great sense of humor and his family still shares his "Grandpa Jokes" at family gatherings. After his retirement from the US Air Force, he resided in San Antonio, TX for 31 years with his wife Maxine. In 2001 they moved to Pittsford, NY to be near his children and grandchildren. In May 2016 he relocated to Lutz, Florida to reside with his daughter Dianne and her husband. He will be greatly missed by his family! May his Memory be Eternal!

Friends may call 5-7 PM Friday (April 21st) at the funeral home, 777 Long Pond Road (between English & Latta). Panachyda at 7 PM. Funeral Service, 10 AM Saturday at the funeral home. Interment, Oakwood Cemetery followed by the Memorial Meal. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his Memory to: the Florida Gulf Coast Paralyzed Vets of America (FGCPVA) at 15435 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, Fl. 33613. Please write Melbourne J. Nibe on the memo line of the check.