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Melvin Richard “Mel” Van Wechel

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Melvin Richard “Mel” Van Wechel

Birth	:	14 Mar 1931 Rudyard, Hill County, Montana, USA
Death	:	20 Jun 2010 Stevensville, Ravalli County, Montana, USA
Burial	:	Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate	:	30.3553238, -87.2841187
Description	:	The Family of Melv Van Wechel Superstition Sunrise RV Park Apache Junction, AZ June 30, 2010 Melvin Richard Van Wechel, 79 of Stevensville, departed this life Sunday, June 20 following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Mel was residing at his summer home in Stevensville with his family, and he was surrounded by love. Melvin was born March 14, 1931 in Rudyard, the elder son of Jacob and Gertrude (Narstad) Van Wechel. He grew up on the family farm in Rudyard, and graduated from Rudyard High School. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He played basketball and other sports. ... Read More	The Family of Melv Van Wechel Superstition Sunrise RV Park Apache Junction, AZ June 30, 2010 Melvin Richard Van Wechel, 79 of Stevensville, departed this life Sunday, June 20 following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Mel was residing at his summer home in Stevensville with his family, and he was surrounded by love. Melvin was born March 14, 1931 in Rudyard, the elder son of Jacob and Gertrude (Narstad) Van Wechel. He grew up on the family farm in Rudyard, and graduated from Rudyard High School. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He played basketball and other sports. Mel was an enthusiastic member of his school band. He also taught himself to play the guitar and the electric organ. As a father and uncle, Mel enjoyed teaching everyone about roller/ice skating, water skiiing, alpine snow skiing, boating, fishing and camping. A lifelong aviator, Mel earned his private and commerical pilot licenses as a youth. He worked for many years as a agricultural spray pilot along the High Line and later as a corporate pilot in the Yukon Flats region of Alaska. He was particulary proud to have earned his instrument and multi-engine ratings later in his career. Mel flew search and resuce missions with the Civil Air Patrol and enjoyed the company of pilots. He loved to fly. Mel married Donna (Cederberg) in 1953. Together they farmed north of Havre in the 1950's and south of Chinook in the 1960's. They later owned and operated several businesses in the Havre area, including an insurance agency, an auto body shop and a beauty salon. Moving to Alaska in 1983, to support Donna's career in public education, Mel flew airplanes, supervised maintenance and construction projects, and assisted in the schools. Mel was known in rural Alaska as a skillful, patient and compassionate teacher. He was a gracious host and famous cook for Alaskan village travelers who stayed in his home. After more than a decade in Alaska, Mel returned to Montana in 1997, to care for his mother. Later, he and Donna travelled extensively in the USA in a motorhome. They spent many winters with Superstition Sunrise neighbors and other friends in Apache Junction, Arizona. Mel enjoyed a varied and exciting career as a pilot, rancher and homemaker, but his greatest contributions were as a son, a husband and a father. He was proud to have been a caregiver at different times in his life: first for his daughter, later for his elderly mother, and for more than 56 years, a caring compaion to his wife. Survivors in addtion to his wife are his daughter, Pamela Van Wechel and his son-in-law, Dick Tardiff of Kealakekus, Hawaii. His sister, Kay Norenberg lives in Great Falls, and his brother Jim Van Wechel resides in Washington State. Also counted among survivors are many beloved nieces, nephews, and in-laws. At Melvin's request, there was no funeral service. On Sunday, June 27, 2010, a private committal service was held in Turner Cemetery, Turner, Montana with the Rev. Dr. Richard Tardiff officiating. Later, friends and family gathered for conversation and refreshment at the Turner Lutheran Church.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Melvin Richard “Mel” Van Wechel's memorial?
Melvin Richard “Mel” Van Wechel's memorial is located at: Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Escambia County, USA.
When did Melvin Richard “Mel” Van Wechel death?
Melvin Richard “Mel” Van Wechel death on 20 Jun 2010 in Stevensville, Ravalli County, Montana, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Melvin Richard “Mel” Van Wechel's memorial?
Latitude: 30.3553238
Longitude: -87.2841187

Family Members:

Parent

Jacob Andrew Van Wechel

(1889 - 1990)

Gertrude Margaret Narestad Van Wechel

(1906 - 2003)

Siblings

Kathryn Bessie “Kay” Van Wechel Norenberg

(1933 - 2011)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Barrancas National Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.3553238, -87.2841187

2. Old Warrington-Woolsey Cemetery
Warrington, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.3551700, -87.2857900

3. Chasefield Plantation Cemetery
Pensacola Beach, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.3246994, -87.2853012

4. Saint Johns Episcopal Columbarium
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.3852440, -87.2708270

5. Good Hope AME Church Cemetery
Warrington, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.3886800, -87.2761300

6. Saint Johns Catholic Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4027300, -87.2748300

7. Pleasant Grove Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.3600234, -87.3435663

8. Al Islam Da'Wah Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.3857700, -87.2150000

9. Donaldson Plantation Cemetery
Baldwin County, USA
Coordinate: 30.2880800, -87.2731900

10. Myrtle Grove Methodist Cemetery
Myrtle Grove, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4247780, -87.2923440

11. Saint Josephs Catholic Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4181271, -87.2408218

12. Saint John's Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4158001, -87.2352982

13. Temple Beth-El Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4213300, -87.2440300

14. Bnai Israel Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4222100, -87.2437100

15. Union Hill Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4309788, -87.3029099

16. Duncan Cemetery
Santa Rosa County, USA
Coordinate: 30.3600826, -87.1946030

17. Panton House Burial Site
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4071500, -87.2173500

18. Millview Cemetery
Millview, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4310800, -87.3239900

19. First Presbyterian Church Columbarium
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4145400, -87.2153900

20. Zion Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4234600, -87.2260400

21. Christ Episcopal Church Columbarium
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4171900, -87.2166500

22. First United Methodist Church Columbarium
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4168500, -87.2158200

23. Magnolia Cemetery
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4246040, -87.2258660

24. Old Pensacola Fort Burial Ground
Pensacola, Escambia County, USA
Coordinate: 30.4186990, -87.2169290