Benjamin Z. Mellinger

Benjamin Z. Mellinger, 65, president of B. Z. Mellinger, Inc., New Holland, died in the General Hospital at 4:25 a.m. Wednesday after an illness of 18 months.

A resident of Lancashire Hall, Neffsville, and formerly of 2126 New Holland Pike, Mellinger was also president of Mellinger Auto Rentals, Inc., New Holland, and vice president of Manheim Auto Auction Inc.

Mellinger served on the board of directors of the National Automobile Dealers Exchange, Bordentown, N.J.; he was vice president of the Fredericksburg Auto Auction, Fredericksburg, Va., and he was a national director of the National Automobile Auction Assn.

Born in West Earl Twp., Mellinger was a son of the late Aldus M. and Lydia Ann Zimmerman Mellinger. He was a member and former councilman of Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Brickerville.

Funeral services will he held at Zion Lutheran Church, Leola, at 2 p.m. Saturday. These honorary pallbearers, all former business associates of Mellinger, will assist in rites: Francis L. Cassel, Manheim; Elmo L. Joseph, Detroit; Earl B. Lehman, Hershey; Edward G. Reese, Lititz; Jacob H. Ruhl, Manheim; Frank W. Spickler, Akron; Paul H. Stern, Manheim; and Arthur F. Walters, Lancaster. Mellinger's nephews will serve as active pallbearers.

Surviving are a son, Wilbur H., New Holland; two daughters: Janet, wife of J. Harold Martin, Terre Hill Star Route; and Dorothy, wife of Chris Lantz, Leola; a step-daughter, Pearl, wife of Landis Henly, Denver; nine grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; a brother, Abram Z. Mellinger, Ephrata R3; and a sister, Anna, wife of Aaron Horst, Ephrata R3.

Lancaster Intelligencer Journal Provided By Ruth George