Melvin A. Kalka, 86, of Hereford, Texas passed away on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in Hereford. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10:00 A.M. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with Father Grant Spinhirne and Father John Valdez as celebrants. Burial to follow at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford. A viewing will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M. at the funeral home with a Rosary/Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 P.M. at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.

Melvin was born on April 26, 1938, in White Deer, Texas to Edward and Rose (Kotara) Kalka. He graduated from White Deer High School in 1956. Melvin married Bernadette (Bezner) Kalka on August 1, 1962, at St. Anthony's Church in Hereford.

Melvin loved farming and enjoyed every minute of it, he grew, cultivated, and nurtured potatoes, onions, cabbage, wheat, corn, and maize. He raised livestock including pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, and a 2200 lb. hand raised whiteface bull "Burl". He was active with his kids and their livestock shows.  Melvin enjoyed time spent with family and his twin brother Alvin and enjoyed hunting, playing poker with his Knights of Columbus companions, playing poker on Sunday evenings with Bernadette and family friends and enjoyed yearly reunions with his White Deer classmates.  Melvin loved to BBQ, smoking briskets and pork roast while enjoying a cold beverage. He was an outgoing and a fun-loving man who enjoyed a good wise crack and joke and loved his children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter dearly.

He was a faithful member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church, serving on the St. Anthony's School Board, serving as an Usher, and anywhere else needed within the church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served 2 terms as a 3rd degree Grand Knight and 2 terms as a 4th degree Faithful Navigator.

Those left to cherish his memories are wife Bernadette Kalka of Hereford, Texas; children, Joani Guyer (Paul) of Amarillo, Texas; Melvin Kalka Jr. (Lisa) of Frisco, Texas, Keith Kalka Sr. of Lubbock, Texas, Susie Heinrich (Brian) of Amarillo, Texas, Andy Kalka (Ceyanne) of Hereford, Texas, and Gregg Kalka (Monica) of Amarillo, Texas; grandchildren,  Brant Guyer of Amarillo, Texas, Bryce Guyer (Alex) of Dallas, Texas, Madison Guyer of Amarillo, Texas, Melissa Nelson (Tommy) of Ft. Worth, Texas, Mallory Kalka of Dallas, Texas, Mitchell Kalka of Frisco, Texas, Keith Kalka, Jr. of Dallas, Texas, Grace Kalka of New Orleans, Kade Kalka of New Orleans, Dr. Matthew Heinrich (Alex Langsjoen) of Rochester, Minnesota, Dr. Zach Heinrich of Amarillo, Texas, Catherine Heinrich of Dallas, Texas, Lawson Perry of Hereford, Texas, Tracen Perry of Hereford, Texas, Matthew Kalka of Amarillo, Texas and Kennedy Kalka of Amarillo, Texas; great-granddaughter Rhodes Guyer; twin brother Alvin Kalka's children, godson David Kalka and Rosalea McAnally (Cairl); brother Bob Kalka (Janet) of McGee, Mississippi; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Rose Kalka; sister Mary Ann Labus (Jimmy), nephew Ronny Labus and great niece Leah Labus Caffey; brother Edward Kalka; sister Evelyn King (Jimmy) and nephew Richard King; sister Pat Cummings (Kenneth); twin brother Alvin Kalka (Linda), and niece Janie King Bartley (Gary).

In lieu of flowers memorial may be sent to St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 114 Sunset Dr., Hereford, Texas 79045; St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 4100 S. Coulter St., Amarillo, Texas 79109; the Franciscan Sisters of Atonement, 41 Old Highland Tpke, Garrison, NY 10524-3400.