Melvin L. Kallenbach Sr.

He was born Feb. 6, 1938, in Niagara, son of the late Howard and Elizabeth (Chartier) Kallenbach. Melvin grew up in Niagara and was a graduate of Niagara High School, class of 1955. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jean Fontecchio, on Dec. 1, 1956. Mel worked in the Niagara paper mill for 35 years, retiring in 1993.

Mel was a loving husband, father and grandfather and his family and friends will miss him dearly. He enjoyed camping and fishing trips, but his greatest joy was spending time at his camp with family and friends. Mel loved being active and was a talented woodworker continually thinking of new projects to keep him busy. Even after Mel became sick, his friend Craig Paulson would take him to camp, and they would work on the projects that Mel had wanted to complete.

Survivors include his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Jean Kallenbach; children, Mel Jr. (Anne LaBelle) Kallenbach of Niagara, Lori (Gary) Schettler of Waukesha, Wis., and Becky (Al) Paquette of Niagara; grandchildren, Brad (Kari) Kallenbach, Nicole (Dave Sanicki) Wilson, Jason (Katie) Kallenbach, Nate (Lucy) Schettler, Jennifer Logemann, Angela (Dan) Hart, Travis Paquette, and Alex (Michelle) Paquette; great-grandchildren, Eli and Ashton Kallenbach, Carly Sanicki, Kendall and Lincoln Herrick, Tyler and Kate Schettler, Aili Logemann, Caden and Casten Hart, Payton and Lux Paquette, and Abby, Gavin and Maci Paquette; daughter-in-law, Debbie Kallenbach; siblings, Gerald (Kathy) Kallenbach, Pat (Connie) Kallenbach, Sharon Tappy and Terry (Leslie) Kallenbach; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Don and Ann Fontecchio; and close friends, Craig and Wendy Paulson and Val Bargo.

In addition to his parents, Melvin was preceded in death by his mother and father-in-law, John and Clare Fontecchio; brother-in-law, Wes Fontecchio; and grandson-in-law, Matthew Logemann, and his beloved cat, Rascal.

The family would like to thank Dr. Loewen and his staff for the excellent care and compassion they provided Mel, especially over the past seven months. They would also like to thank the staff at Maryhill Manor for the excellent care and kindness they provided during his stay there.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until noon on Thursday, July 3, at Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. The funeral service will take place at noon at the funeral home. A graveside service will follow.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Melvin’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Iron Mountain, to honor Melvin’s legacy of life.