Melvin V. Syth, 87

Melvin V. Syth, 87, died peacefully at home in Helena on Aug. 15, 2010. He was born Feb. 9, 1923, in Greenwood, Wis., the son of William and Helen (Stoneberg) Syth. The family moved to Girard, Mont., when he was a toddler and then moved to Heron in 1938, where he graduated eighth grade, going on to high school in Noxon. He attended Northwestern Business College for about six months when he was called for induction by the draft board. Rather than going into the Army, Mel thought the Navy would be more to his liking, so he enlisted on May 15, 1943. He had boot training at U.S. Naval Training School in Farragut, Idaho, from there to Naval training school (R) University of Idaho, next to Communication School PhibTrac. (Pac), then to USS Alabama (BB-60), and was honorably discharged from USNB, Bremmerton, Wash., on March 8, 1946. He married a wonderful lady, Anita, in July 1947, and became an instant father to three children from Anita s marriage to Jessie Stevens (deceased). They had three more children; all have grown up with families of their own. He worked four years with Flathead County, primarily on roads and bridges. He spent eight years with the Montana Highway Department in Kalispell and Libby, and then worked for the City of Libby until his retirement in 1979. After retirement, Mel and Anita moved to Bull Lake where they were charter members of the Bull Lake Ambulance Service. Mel also served 13 of his retirement years on the volunteer fire department. His retirement years allowed him to enjoy many community activities, travel around the United States to visit relatives or see new sites, and to enjoy the outdoors. He is survived by children, Charles Stevens and Ruth of Hayden Lake Idaho, Mary Thomas and Dave of Helena, and Gregory Syth and Tina of Cheybogan, Mich.; siblings, Alta Esler of Missouri, Gerald and DeEtte Syth of Montana, Verlyn and JoNell Syth of Idaho, and Billy and Grace Syth of Idaho; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; plus numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Helen Syth; wife, Anita Syth; sons, Larry Syth and Kenneth Stevens; daughter, Doris Batten; siblings, William and Wayne (twins), Ted Syth, Grace LaMont, Bernard Syth, Alma Rowe, Hugh Syth, Kenneth Syth, May Allen, Marjorie Zuhnter, Lyle Syth, Esther Mischel and Arthur Syth. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, at Milnor Lake Cemetery in Troy. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Bull Lake Volunteer Ambulance and to the local search and rescue. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.