Melvin D. Shilk Jr.

Melvin "Rusty" Shilk Jr., 74, of Ridgway, died on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Jefferson Manor Nursing Home following a lengthy illness.

He was born on June 1, 1952, in Ridgway, the son of the late Melvin D. Sr. and Beatrice A. Northrop Shilk.

Rusty was a 1970 graduate of Ridgway High School and attended Penn State University. He proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Military Policeman, stationed in Hawaii from 1972 to 1975.  In 1979 he married and started a family with Kathleen Meehan.  In 1982, he graduated from the Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science and completed his apprenticeship at the Paul Meehan Funeral Home in Ridgway. In 1990, he and Kathleen purchased and established the Meehan-Shilk Funeral Home, where he served as owner and supervisor for over 20 years. Throughout his career, Rusty also served his community as Chief Deputy Coroner.

Rusty was deeply devoted to his family, his faith, and the Ridgway community. He was a member of St. Leo Magnus Church and a proud Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, an accomplishment he held in high regard. He was also active in the Jaycees, Lions Club, Elks, American Legion, and VFW, holding various leadership positions throughout the years. A strong supporter of local athletics, Rusty especially enjoyed collegiate wrestling and Pirates baseball. He had a great appreciation for the outdoors, whether fishing along the Clarion River, picking leeks in the woods, or metal detecting. An avid collector of everything from baseball cards to cigars, Rusty had a lifelong curiosity and a passion for discovering and mastering new hobbies.

He is survived by his two sons, Melvin "David" Shilk III (Morgan) of St. Marys, Paul (Stacey) Shilk of Elizabeth, a granddaughter, Myrtella and Kathleen Meehan Shilk, devoted wife of 38 years.  He is also survived by four siblings; Cynthia (Michael) O'Leary of Kersey, Charles (Margaret) Shilk of State College, Carl (Dawn) Shilk of Ridgway, and Edward (Julie) Shilk of Ridgway, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life for Melvin D. Shilk will be announced at a later date.

Burial will be at Ott Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Huntington's Disease Society of America, https://give.hdsa.org/campaign/740121/donate, or Humane Society, 1029 E Eschbach Rd, St Marys, PA 15857.

Krise Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 130 Center St., Ridgway, PA 15853 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be made to the family at www.krisefamilyfuneralhomes.com.