Donal J. Mellon

Donal J. Mellon, age 92 of Grand Rapids, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, November 15, 2017. Don served our country during World War II as a Military Policeman for the Army. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Mellon; his wives Ann Atkinson Mellon and Cynthia Lundberg Mellon and his siblings John Mellon and Aletha Mellon.  He is survived by his daughters Kristin Mellon and Marylynn (Charles) Morton; step-sons, Don (Karen) Van Houten, David (Kristine) Van Houten, Dan (Lora) Van Houten, Tim (Connie) Van Houten, 22 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren; nieces Donna and Doris and nephew Ron.  A special thank you to Elder's Helpers and his primary care giver Bettie for all the loving care they provided. Thank you to the staff at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan.  Funeral services will be held at 12 pm Saturday, November 25, 2017 at Wayland United Methodist Church, with Reverend Jeff Williams officiating. Visitation with family will be one hour prior to service. The family welcomes memories and messages in their online guest book at www.kubiakcook.com.  Memorial contributions may be made to Wayland United Methodist Church Mission Fund or Michigan State Police Trooper Association. 

**A tribute to Don from Cynthia**

Don was born on July 25, 1925, during the depression.  His parents were James and Mary (Steep) Mellon.  He grew up in Lupton, MI.  His grade school days were spent in Lupton and his high school years were in West Branch.  He enjoyed his years on the family dairy farm with his brother John and sister Aletha.  In 1943, while in high school and at the age of 18, he was drafted into the Army during WWII, where he spent time in the European Theater Operation in England, France and Belgium.  He was sent into the European Theater 8 days after the invasion of France, where he ended up in the 9th Infantry Division of the Military Police Platoon.  He was discharged in 1946.  After a short stay back home, he applied and was accepted into the Michigan State Police.  He went to recruits’ school in East Lansing.  From there he spent time in at the Posts in Sheboygan, Erie, Gaylord, Munising and Wayland.  While serving in the State Police he had many assignments including the Jackson Prison riots, riding shot gun on the fire trucks during the Detroit riots and the student riots at Michigan State University. He retired as a Sergeant from the Wayland Post in 1974.  Don married Ann Atkinson in 1948 and daughters Kristin (1951) and Marylynn (1953) were born in Gaylord. Don and Ann were married for 32 happy years. The family took many trips throughout the United States. Ann passed away in 1980.  In 1981 Don married Cynthia Lundberg Van Houten.  For many years they attended the United Methodist Church in Wayland.  They enjoyed trips to Arizona, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Gulf Shores, AL.  Don and Cindy spent the month of March at Gulf Shores for many years and enjoyed it very much.  Don was a wonderful husband, father, father-in-law and grandfather.  He had a dry sense of humor that everyone loved and was very handy around the house. He was a member of the State Police Troopers Association, the American Legion, the Wayland Lions Club, the Wayland United Methodist Church and the First Evangelical Covenant Church.  

To view the Keepsake Video please click on the link below.

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/6NP3YNFCDCFY2SWG