Lawrence C. “Banjo” “Lumpy” Melton Sr., 65, of Rhinelander, died Sunday June 14, 2015 at his home. Larry was born in Rhinelander December 12, 1949, to Leo Charles and Maxine Joan (Faleske) Melton. Larry was a 1967 graduate of Rhinelander High School. He had been employed from 1968 until 2012 with the Rhinelander Paper Company where he held many different jobs. He worked the longest as a Loader Operator. Larry was united in marriage in May of 1970 in Rhinelander to Shirley Denton. They later were divorced. He later met Cynthia Litzen and they were together for over 20 years. He was a member of the North American Hunting Club. He participated in stock car racing, where he raced at Tomahawk, Crandon, Eagle River and Wausau. He raced street stock cars using number 51. Larry enjoyed bowling and had been a member of the Friday night Good Fellowship Bowling League. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, moving ground with his Bobcat, NASCAR, nature and the outdoors, especially feeding the wildlife. But most of all Larry loved his family and took great pride in attending his grandchildren’s sporting events.

Larry will be remembered for his laughter and was always ready to lend a hand and help others.

He will be dearly missed by his children; Lawrence “Pudgy” C. (Heather) Melton Jr. of Eau Claire, Tom (Amy) Melton of Eagle River and Kevin (Tracy) Litzen of Rhinelander; nine grandchildren, Kylie, Tyler, Hannah, Isaac, Cameron, Cole, Chase and Cruz Melton and Kody Litzen; and by his first great-grandchild, due any day.

Also surviving is a brother; Jim Melton, of Rhinelander; three sisters, Kathy (Ron) Johns of Eau Claire, Cheryl (Rocky) Piasecki of Mosinee and Anna (Chris) Rhode of Sugar Camp;  one sister-in-law, Cindy Melton of Rhinelander, his two loving cats Suzi and Sammi and special friend, Bill Palubicki. Larry is further survived by nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother; Chuck Melton.

The visitation for Larry will be held on Friday, June 19, 2015 at the Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until the 7 p.m. Celebration of Life Service. Deacon Ron Bosi will be officiating. At the conclusion of the service there will be fifty one blue and white balloons released in honor of his racing number.

Larry loved flannel shirts and his family requests that friends and family wear flannel in his honor.

Inurnment will take place at a later date at Forest Home Cemetery.

Hildebrand Russ Funeral Home, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501(715)-365-4343. Celebrating lives and healing hearts. All are invited to light a candle, sign the guestbook, leave a photo or an online condolence at hildebrandrussfh.com