Donald T. Melander

Feb. 15, 1919 - May 25, 2004

Donald Theodore Melander, 85, of Woodward Avenue, South Bend, Ind., died following an illness at 8:45 a.m. Tuesday, May 25, in Memorial Hospital. Mr. Melander was born Feb. 15, 1919, in South Bend, to the late Ernest and Hilma (Peterson) Melander. On April 28, 1943, in Pueblo, Colo., he married Mary Grace Minkler, who preceded him in death on April 11, 1994. He was also preceded in death by a son, Donald T. Melander Jr.; a sister, Evelyn Swanson; and by his son-in-law, James N. Pinter.

He is survived by his daughter, Carolyn J. Pinter of South Bend; four grandchildren, Nathan Pinter, Polly (Brian) Perri and Patrick Pinter, all of South Bend, and Nan (Eric) McCartney of Mishawaka, Ind.; three sisters, Lillian Tohulka of New Carlisle, Ind., Marian Larson of Munster, Ind., and Harriet (Ross) Billger of South Bend; and by a brother, Harry (Dorothy) Melander of South Bend.

Don retired as the owner of Melander's Garage in 1990 after 59 years. He had also worked at Minkler's Hardware until 1997. He was a lifelong resident of South Bend. His greatest love was his family. Don was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather.

Don was a World War II veteran in the Army Air Corps. He specialized in the repair of the B-17$. He enjoyed any opportunity to go fishing, and spent summers at Fish Lake and Shipshewana Lake. Don devoted much of his spare time to his children and later to his four grandchildren, teaching them everything from basic screen repair to how to change the brakes on a car. He also took on the daunting task of teaching his grandchildren how to drive. In his retirement he enjoyed reading, especially about sports figures and anything that had to do with Purdue. Don would also take walks around the neighborhood, often visiting friends along the way. He spent many afternoons reading the paper and listening to WGN.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 28, in the Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., with Rev. James Miller of Sunnyside Presbyterian Church officiating. Cremation will take place at Michiana Crematory, with burial to follow at Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. today, May 27, in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637. 

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com, and FindAGrave.com

10/08/2023 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/176628151/donald-t-melander