Melvin "Mel" Eugene Cowger, 80, of Topeka, KS, passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at The Gardens at Aldersgate in Topeka. Mel was born October 19, 1943 in Holton, KS, the son of Jesse Emery and Henrietta Mabel (Van Valkinburgh) Cowger.

He graduated from Holton High School in 1961. After high school, Mel attended a Butcher Chef Academy in Toledo, Ohio in 1962.

Mel was a butcher for Dillions Grocery Stores for over 50 years. He worked and lived in Wichita, Arkansas City, Emporia and spent most of his career in Topeka where he retired in 2012.

Mel was a lifelong diehard Oklahoma Sooner fan! He was such a fanatical Sooner fan that he would take his vacations to Norman to watch Oklahoma spring football practices and of course to Oklahoma City to watch the Women's College Softball World Series. He really enjoyed watching and cheering on his beloved Oklahoma Sooner women's softball team every year. In the 1980's, Mel coached a competitive traveling girls fast pitch softball team in Topeka called the Shawnee Queens. He took a lot of pride in coaching softball teams.

He was a member of Buck's Grove United Methodist Church.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Mary Louise Cowger; a brother, Marvin Emery Cowger and a niece, Becky Kirkwood.

He is survived by 4 nephews, Keith D. Cowger of Topeka, KS, Ron Chrisman of Arcanum, OH, Jerry (Becky) Chrisman of Versailles, OH and Russell L. Eby of Fairborn, OH and a niece, Tracy Cowger of Topeka, KS.

Graveside Service will be 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at Olive Hill Cemetery. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the Graveside Service at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorial contribution may be given to the Dementia Society of America c/o of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.