Melvin Marcellus Mumbower, 86
Melvin Marcellus Mumbower, 86, passed away on Tuesday, May 10, 2005, in Spokane.
He was born on May 30, 1918, in Milo Ward, Idaho, to Renzo and Mary Ann (Goldman) Mumbower. Melvin was raised in Idaho and Montana. Montana was the state he dearly loved and always enjoyed returning to it.
On Dec. 16, 1941, Mel entered the U.S. Army Air Corps and was discharged on Sept. 29, 1945. During that period he was chief crew mechanic for Clark's Little Pill and for which he was credited for keeping the plane in the air for 155 missions. He landed on Normandy Beach and then moved with the troops and Clark's Little Pill into northern France, Rhineland, the Ardennes and central Europe. He earned the European African Middle Eastern Theater Service Medal, five Silver Stars, Good conduct medal Distinguished Unit Badge and the Bronze Star.
After discharge from the service, Mel met and married Inga Carlson and they raised twin daughters, living in Kalispell their entire marriage. Mel retired from the State of Montana Highway Department as a mechanic in 1975 and after that he and Inga traveled a lot until ill health required a move to Spokane to be close to the girls.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Inga.
He is survived by twin daughters, Caren Cox of Post Falls, Idaho, and Carole Anderson and husband, Allen, of Spokane; five grandchildren, Shane Cox and wife, Keri, of West Yellowstone, Lisa Cox of Post Falls, Idaho, Annie Bordenkircher and husband, Eugene, of Moscow, Idaho, Michael Anderson and wife, Julie, of Walla Walla, Wash., and Justin Anderson of Spokane; also two nephews, Fred and Claude Mumbower; and two nieces, Freda Crane and Beverly Clasen.
Visitation is 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 20, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel.
Funeral services for Melvin will be held 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, in the Johnson Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Tim Bartholomew of Stillwater Free Lutheran Church officiating.
The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Stillwater Grange in Kalispell, MT 59901; or to the 451st Bomb Squadron in care of Carole Anderson, 7134 N. Fleming, Spokane, WA 99208.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Melvin's family.