Melvin Hackler

Melvin Hackler
May 19, 1924 - July 2, 2017
Melvin "Hack" Hackler, age 93, passed away at home in Casa Grande on July 2,
2017. He was born May 19, 1924 on a farm in Peoria, Arizona to LeRoy and Beatrice
(Wolf) Hackler. He was the youngest of five children and moved to Casa Grande
in 1936 to a farm near 11 Mile Corner, adjoining the property that became the County Fairgrounds.
He grew up herding cows in the surrounding desert areas. Hack was Student Body President at Casa Grande Union High School where he graduated in 1943. After graduating, Hack went to work in the oil fields in California and returned to Casa Grande in 1946 and married Nadine Turner, who had been a schoolmate from Jr. High through High School. They had two children, Greg and Kelly.
Hack worked construction, building bridges on Interstates 40 and 10, as well as the General Foreman for the construction of the NAU South Campus and Central Arizona College. He
was also the Foreman for the building of Francisco Grande Hotel and Ballpark. He was a member of the Carpenters Local 408 for over 30 years. Hack was a Volunteer Fireman, when Casa Grande had only a Volunteer Fire Department and in the early 1950s was a member of the Reserve Highway Patrol. While working one summer at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, he spent the weekends as a Wrangler for tourists to the bottom of the Canyon. After retirement he enjoyed extended trail rides with good friends. He had been a friend of Bill W. for 43 years. Hack is survived by his wife of 70 years, Nadine, son Greg (Connie) of Winslow, and daughter Kelly Dugan (Dennis)
of Casa Grande. Three grandchildren, Kris Hackler (Diana), Beth Hackler (Andrew), and David Dugan (Erin). Three great-grandchildren, Jett, Cielo, and Matthew. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tracy Dugan.
No services are planned at his request