Roy Melka,

Roy Steve Melka Jr. died March 23, 2011 at home in Hazelhurst, Wisconsin after a long battle with kidney cancer. Born in Ishpeming, Michigan August 14, 1944 to Roy and Rose Melka, he was raised in nearby Negaunee in the neighborhood referred to as Cornish Town. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and spent time in California, Okinawa, Hawaii, South Korea, Philippines, Formosa and just outside of Vietnam prior to the Vietnam War. He went through the Panama Canal in 1962 and was stationed on a ship which formed the blockade outside of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. After a honorable discharge in 1966 from the U.S. Marine Corps he met his wife Florence and married on July 26, 1969. They settled down in Ishpeming Michigan, where they raised their two sons. He spent 17 years in the Michigan National Guard with the 107th Engineers Battalion and retired in 1999 as an E6 Staff Seargent. He retired from Cleveland Cliffs Mining Company at the age of 60, where he was the Local Union 4950 treasurer. After spending most of their life in Ishpeming, they moved to Hazelhurst Wisconsin, where Roy and his sons built a beautiful house in a northwoods setting. He enjoyed all the wildlife they would encounter on the property. He would feed the deer every day, and enjoyed many encounters with other animals such as: black bear, turkeys, eagles, coyotes, and racoons. He loved to watch the birds coming to the many feeders on their deck. Roy and his wife Florence joined the Hazelhurst Lions Club, and were involved in many charitable activities. Roy was given the Lions President Award in recognition of outstanding service. Roy had a passion for pistol shooting, and his den is filled with the many trophies and plaques he won over the years. He was a member of the Negaunee Rod and Gun Club, and started shooting competition while in the Michigan National Guard. Some of his favorite achievements were: the Governor’s Twenty Badge, the Gold Distinguished Pistol Badge, the Chief’s 50 Badge and President’s Hundred Badge. He was selected for the Michigan National Guard Pistol Team, the Fourth Army Pistol Team, and the All Guard Pistol Team (consisting of the top 20 National Guard shooters in the country). He was the Michigan Outdoor State Pistol Champion in 1990, He competed in the National Pistol Championships in Little Rock, Arkansas on several occasions with his best finish being 16th overall out of approximately 1600 shooters. He achieved the High Master classification for .22 caliber pistol, center fire pistol and .45 caliber pistol. He was also approached to try out for the National Guard International Pistol Shooting Team which he declined due to concerns over spending too much time away from family. Roy loved the outdoors, and shared this passion with his family. He spent many years camping with his family and teaching his sons how to hunt, fish, and shoot firearms. Other activities he enjoyed included: golfing, cribbage, and working on his family tree. He was an excellent carpenter, some might even say “jack of all trades.” He loved entertaining children with his magic tricks, and was master of practical jokes. Although, he would like the guys from deer camp to know that he had nothing to do with the t-shirt incident. Roy loved his hunting companions, and could tell stories for hours about his many years at deer camp. He had a wonderful sense of humor and a knack for making people feel comfortable in an uncomfortable situation. While being treated for cancer, he was told by his nurse that his doctor was very good. So Roy asked the doctor “I heard you were good, so can you keep me alive long enough to see the Detroit Lions win the Super Bowl?”, and the doctor said “ I’m good but not that good.” And near the end, he needed a wheel chair to get around, and when he came out of the bedroom, he told everyone that he wanted to show off his new wheels. That was Roy, and we loved him very much, and we will miss him more than words can describe. He leaves his beloved wife of 41 years, Florence (Morcom) Melka; his son Roy and his wife Meredith; his son Steven and his wife Heather. He also leaves; sister Pat (Clark) Gravedoni; sister Sharon Melka: sister Linda (Keith) Roberts; sister Susie Maki; brother Roger Melka; honorary brother and sister-in-law, Ralph “Barney” Wainio and his wife Jerri. Grandchildren: Georgia, Olivia, Miah, Maizen, and Michael. He is also survived by brother-in-law and sister-in law William and Christine Santamore; brother-in-law Robert Sihtala; brother-in law and sister-in-law John and Patricia Morcom. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Rose Melka; sister-in-law Margaret (Morcom) Sihtala, and brother-in-law Michael Morcom. The visitation with family will be held from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm on Saturday March 26, 2011 at the Grace Episcopal Church at the corner of First & Canda street in Ishpeming. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm, and then a luncheon for family and friends will be held after the service at the Bethel Lutheran Church at 333 East Ridge street in Ishpeming.

Roy Melka,

August 14, 1944 - March 23, 2011