Melvyn R. Yokan, 89

Dr. Melvyn R. Yokan, 89, passed away on Aug. 7, 2010, at Whitefish Care and Rehabilitation Center. He was born in 1921 in the mountainous province Montenegro, Yugoslavia. He was educated there, graduating from medical school in Zagreb. This was followed by training in the specialties psychiatry and neurology. World War II and the following disruptive conditions led him to immigrate to the U.S. in 1956, and to locate in Chicago, then to begin an internship at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, Ill. There he met Mary Catherine Cathy Sullivan, a pediatrician, and they married in 1958. Melvyn became a U.S. citizen, expanded his psychiatric training, and was board certified in psychiatry. He is survived by his wife, Mary Catherine; daughter, Christine, of Seattle; son, Nicholas, and Janet of Detroit Lakes, Minn.; and son, Michael, of Jacksonville, Fla.; and two granddaughters, Catherine and Marie Yokan, of Detroit Lakes, who will both be in college this year. A favorite activity for the whole family was skiing, both downhill and cross-country. They enjoyed skiing in Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Washington. After living in Illinois the family moved to Butte, and later to Tacoma, Wash. Melvyn s professional psychiatry work was initially in private practice, and later as a Veteran s Administration medical staff member. He also loved fishing in the Straits at Tacoma, regularly bringing home his allowed limit of salmon. After retiring, he and Cathy lived for several years at their cherry orchard on Flathead Lake, then moved to Whitefish. They enjoyed year-round outdoor activities and this year celebrated their 52nd anniversary. A family memorial day will be celebrated later this month. Any memorial contributions may be directed to Flathead Valley Community College and messages may be left at Austin Funeral Home