Mark Matthew Mellem, 51

Mark Matthew Mellem, 51, "went to be with our Father in Heaven" on Nov. 18, 2008, after his second battle with cancer. Mark passed away at home in the care of his loving family. Mark was born on April 2, 1957, to Emil and Marie (Tracey) Mellem, in Kalispell, where he resided for the remainder of his life. He was the youngest of four children. Mark went to school at Batavia through the eighth grade, then Flathead High School.

He then joined the U.S. Army at age 17. After leaving the military he worked for Columbia Falls Aluminum Company for 27 years. Shortly after, he worked three years for Dutton Hauling.

Mark loved to fish and you could pretty much find him out on Flathead Lake at anytime. He had much faith and was often seen sitting with his children discussing the Bible.

Mark enjoyed his three grandchildren and loved them with all of his heart.

In 1992, he married the love of his life, Anncherie Lansing.

Mark was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Mark is survived by his wife, Anncherie; children, Dustin and Christopher Mellem, Melissa Mellem and R.J. Beach, Jack and Heather Mellem, and four boys, and Amanda Mellem and Brandon Martinson; his three grandchildren, Kaiden Lewis, Gavin Matthew Mellem-Beach, Ava Griswold, and Baby Martinson due in June; brothers, John Mellem of Salt Lake City, and Emil and Sherry Mellem of Sandpoint, Idaho; and sister, Linda and Wes Lane, of Mesa, Ariz. Mark is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

We, the Mellem family, would like to greatly show our appreciation and thanks to Hospice (Lori), and the doctors and nurses for all of the wonderful care they gave Mark.

"We will always love you husband, dad, and brother."

Visitation for Mark will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 23, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home, with burial following at Glacier Memorial Gardens.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. Friends are encouraged to visit the Web site, www.buffalohillfh.com, to leave condolences for the family.