Steven Robert Melby, 57

Steven Robert Melby, 57, of Kalispell, died of a heart attack at his home on July 21, 2007.

Born March 23, 1950, to Robert Clark Ada Melby and Eunice (Snyder) Melby in Eau Claire, Wis., he attended school in Whitefish, graduating in 1968.

After high school, he attended Western Baptist Bible College in El Cerito, Calif., and Salem, Ore.

Steve served in the Marine Corps from 1972 until 1976, serving in Washington, D.C., and Morocco as embassy guard. Upon returning to the States, he served as a marksman instructor at Camp Pendleton, until his discharge.

Steve loved hunting, fishing, hiking, and living in the outdoors of Montana. He was happy with anything and everything about his adopted state, loving it more than most natives. His favorite pastime was camping out on his beloved Kootenai, enjoying the beauty that God created. He was loved by his nephews and nieces and enjoyed his time with them.

You could always tell when he was in the room, hearing his laugh before you even saw him. He got so much enjoyment out of life, that he lived his life to the fullest. Steve trained birds for 30 years, keeping and adopting his favorite one, a blue and gold macaw, Roy.

Steve was preceded by his beloved stepfather, William "Willie" Small; brother-in-law, Frederick R. Kramer; maternal grandparents, Dewey W. and Nora C. (Ross) Snyder; father, Robert Clark Ada Melby; paternal grandparents, Edwyn E. and Eleanora E. Melby; aunt and uncle, Rodger and Elaine Kernan, and uncle Wayne William Snyder.

Steve will be missed by his entire family. He was survived by his mom and best friend, Eunice Small, who died on Sept. 11. He is now survived by his younger brother, Kenneth Melby; his sister, Barbara Kramer-Jarvar and Stan Jarvar, and her children; his beloved nieces and nephews, Robert Joseph Kramer, his children, Ashley, Alexis, Autumn, Kyle and Isabel, of Cornell, Wis., Royanna Eunice Miller and Steve Thiessen of Portland, Garrett William Kramer; Minette Lee Kramer, Kendrick Ray Kramer and Mackenzie Aaron Kramer. He also leaves behind his buddy and best macaw bird friend of 29 years, Roy; and his friends and co-workers at Rex's Electronics.

Joint services for Steve and his mom, Eunice Small will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20, at the First Baptist Church of Whitefish, on U.S. 93 South, in Whitefish.