Melvin R. Mohler

Melvin Richard (Mel) Mohler, 90, passed away, holding the hands of two of his loving grandchildren, Allen and Tammy, the evening of March 8, 2013 at his home in Polson Montana.
Mel was born on October 25, 1922 to Harry and Mayme Mohler on the family farm in Octavia, Nebraska. He was the ninth child of 11 and grew up helping the family grow corn, raise pigs and milk a herd of dairy cows. It wasn't all work on the family farm. With such a large family, there was always someone to play with. He attended school in Octavia and graduated from high school in David City, Nebraska. After graduation, he worked the harvests for a couple years and on October 14, 1945, he married his sweetheart Edna Marie Ludden. Edna insisted Mel was going to go on to college, so he enrolled at the University of Nebraska, earning his degree in vocational agriculture and playing tackle, both offense and defense, for his beloved Cornhuskers.
Mel and Edna adopted two children, Michael and Merriam. Mel taught school in Nebraska for a few years and in 1955 the family moved to Miles City, Montana where Melvin was assistant director of the Pine Hills School for Boys for 13 years. In 1968, they moved to the Swan River valley in Montana and Mel became the director of the Swan River Youth Camp, a youth correctional facility. He held this position until he retired in 1994, at which point they moved to Polson, Montana. Melvin was very proud of his work and the successes he had. There is no way of knowing how many young men's lives he touched during these years with his firm but loving ways.
A devoted Christian his entire life, Mel attended the New Life Christian Center in Polson. He was a dedicated golfer, an avid reader, a daily crossword puzzle doer, a lover of all people, an iris grower, a basement pool player, a grandfather to all. To be greeted with his big booming voice and a huge grin on his dear face, you knew you were loved and perfect to him.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents, eight brothers and sisters, Edna, his wife of 57 years and his son Mike Mohler.
He is survived by his daughter Merriam Burke and husband Johnny, of Kalispell, MT; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his brother, Marvin Mohler of David City, NE; his sister Donna Graham of Albuquerque, NM; many adoring nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was proud of each and every one of them.
Tammy Mohler-Hale was able to be with her grandpa Mel the last three weeks of his life. She was able to give him the loving care he needed and to be with him when he passed. Love you, Tammy. Mel's family wants to express their gratitude to Chris and Viktra Bumgarner for their special care and devotion for Uncle Mel. You made it possible for him to live his life with dignity in his own home for the rest of his days. Words cannot tell you how much your sacrifice meant to him. A special thank you also to neighbors Suzanne and Brenda, your help and dedication made his life more pleasant.
Mel and his niece Cathy and her husband, Len Ballek are the hosts of the Mohler Family Reunion this June at Flathead Lake. Because all the family will be in town, more than 60 of us, there will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, June 22, 2013 at the New Life Christian Center at 2:00 pm in Polson, Montana. Come and join us in honoring Mel Mohler's life; husband, dad, grandpa, uncle and mentor. He will be greatly missed.

Read Melvin Mohler's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.