WAUKESHA - Melvin "Bud" W. Crown, 79, of Waukesha, died Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002, at Waukesha Memorial Hospital.

Born Dec. 15, 1922, in Montello, to Walter and Evelyn (nee Schmitz) Crown. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 42nd Rainbow Division. He was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He held memberships in the Cleary-Krech Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1707 in Portage, the Weiske-Farrell Masonic Lodge No. 141, and for the past 50 years he had been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Waukesha. He retired from Shell Oil after many years of service. He was devoted to his daughter and dearly loved his grandchildren.

He will be sadly missed by his wife of 14 years, Maida (nee Krentz); his daughter, Patricia (Charles) Crown-Getz of Hartford; and his loving stepchildren, Julie (David) Mickler and Scott (Carolyn) Freiberg, both of Waukesha, Gregory (Melissa) Freiberg of Eagle and Blair (Mary) Freiberg of Waukesha. He was the beloved grandfather of Michelle (David) Sheldon, Jeffrey (Lynn) Mickler, Jared (Shannon) Mickler, Amanda Freiberg, Lucas (Kristin) Freiberg, Justin Freiberg, Jacob Freiberg, Kelsey Freiberg, Emily Freiberg, Katherine Freiberg, Stephanie Freiberg and Samuel Freiberg; the devoted great-grandfather of Matthew and Kathryn Sheldon; and dear brother of Merlyn (Gary) Reich of Rice Lake. He is further survived by other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy (nee Schroeder).

Friends may call from 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, until the 7 p.m. funeral service at First United Methodist Church, 121 Wisconsin Ave., with the Rev. Kelly Fowler officiating. Graveside services will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 14, at Montello Cemetery in Montello.

Memorials in his name are appreciated to Waukesha Memorial Hospital, Cardiac Care Center, Attn: Foundation Office, 725 American Ave., Waukesha, WI 53188.

For more information, call Randle-Dable Funeral Home, 547-4035 or visit www.randledablefuneralhome.com.