558 N. Main St., Prineville, OR 97754 | (541) 447-6205
Melvin LeRoy Hamlin, 77, of Albany, Ore. passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at his home.
Melvin was born in Toledo, Ore. to Melvin Lincoln and Bessie (Rose) Hamlin on May 1, 1934.
The family ended up in Prineville where he completed high school. After graduation, Melvin went in to construction and then joined the Navy, where he traveled to the Aleutian Islands, The Philippines, and Hawaii. Near the end of his Navy stint, he met and married Jean Eliasen of Santa Barbara.
The couple moved back to Oregon in the early 1960s where he attended Oregon State College before going to work at Western Kraft. Melvin worked at the paper mill for 36 years as an operator.
Mel loved his family, fishing, hunting, gardening, and tinkering in his shop. He also loved to travel; the family trips to Eagle Crest Resort were special to him. Mel was known as “Uncle Money” to all his nephews and nieces. He always looked forward to the end of the day for “Happy Hour”.
Melvin is survived by his children, Debborah “Debi” Bryant and husband, Jim of Albany, Ore., Laura Schwalm and husband, Matt Wright of Salem, Ore., Susan Hamlin and husband, Randy Bartolus of Long Beach, Wash., and Melvin LeRoy Hamlin Jr. of Albany, Ore.; brother, Marvin Hamlin of Roseburg, Ore.; sister, Elaine Hamlin of Roseburg, Ore.; three grandchildren, and four great- grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife and parents.
A memorial service was held at 3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 26 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.
Memorial contributions to the American Legion or Safe Haven Humane Society may be made in care of Fisher Funeral Home, 306 S.W. Washington, Albany, OR 97321. www.fisherfuneralhome.com
