Melvin V. Gibbons

Melvin Victor Gibbons, a lifetime South Bend resident died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016 in Astoria, Ore.; he was 82.

Melvin Victor Gibbons, a lifetime South Bend resident died Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Astoria, Ore.; he was 82. Mel was born March 17, 1934, in South Bend to Victor and Elnora (Bonnell) Gibbons.

He graduated from South Bend High School in 1952, after playing football his 1950 team was inducted onto the Wall of Fame at the South Bend School in September 2016. Mel married Frances Bentley June 20, 1953, in South Bend, she preceded him in death March 20, 2015. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War before being honorably discharged. He owned and operated Mel Gibbons Trucking Company for many years.

Mel was a devoted and active member of the American Legion, he was a patriot and loved his family and his community. He enjoyed football, building model airplanes, hunting, logging and was a sharp history buff.

He is survived by a son Steve Gibbons of Shelton, Wash.; three daughters Rhonda (Alan Stewart) Westlund of Olympia, Teresa (Brian) Olsen of Bremerton and Laurie Hobi of South Bend; two brothers James Gibbons of Littlerock, Wash. and Robert Gibbons of Hoquiam, Wash. as well as 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren with one new one due January of 2017. Mel also leaves behind a very close friend Ed Frazier of Raymond.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 at the Fern Hill Cemetery in Menlo where Military Honors will be accorded. All friends and family are welcome to gather at the Raymond Elks at 1:00 p.m. later that day to celebrate Mel’s life.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Foundations at American Heart Association PO Box 742030 Los Angeles, CA 90074-2030 or the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202.

Cremation arrangements were in care of Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond. You may visit www.StollersMortuary.com to leave condolences for the family.