PLANO, Texas — Melvin Franklin Bolinger, 97, of Plano, Texas, died Friday, Feb. 12, 2010, in Plano.

He was born to Stella and Frank Bolinger on May 7, 1912, in Thayer.

He married Grace Weirich on June 7, 1930, in Parsons. After working for the Katy Railroad for 37 years, in 1965 he and Grace moved to Kansas City, Mo., to become a part of an up-and-coming new business, Comet Electronics Inc. In 1977 he retired and they moved to Plano, Texas.

Mr. Bolinger enjoyed playing golf with his buddies and traveling to his favorite places such as Hawaii and Europe. He and Grace never missed a grandchild’s event or spending holidays either in Plano, Wichita or wherever the kids were. In later years, taking care of his loving wife Grace was his main purpose in life. After her death he moved to Evergreen Independent Living. Until his sudden death, he drove to church every Sunday, loved playing bingo, “Move Baby Move” exercise class, Wednesday church services and all his adoring friends at Evergreen.

He is survived by his daughters, Joyce Stephens and her husband, Norm, of Plano, Texas, and June Regan of Aurora, Colo.; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Cleo Dringenberg of Parsons and Dessie Gatton of Rocklin, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; a brother, Vern Bolinger; a son-in-law, Patrick Regan; and a great-granddaughter, Melissa.

The service was at noon Monday at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel in Allen, Texas. Burial was at Ridgeview Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 3160 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas, 75074.

Online condolences may be left at www.tjmfuneral.com.