Melvin Nielson

TRAVERSE CITY — Melvin K. Nielson, 90, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully Sunday, April 22, 2012. He died at The Grand Traverse Pavilions surrounded by his family, from complications resulting from pulmonary fibrosis and diabetes.Melvin was born on March 31, 1922, in Grayling, to the late Otto and Mollie (Anderson) Nielson. He graduated from Grayling High School and worked at the Grayling State Bank before entering the U.S. Army to serve his country during World War II in Europe. Upon his return, he attended the Lansing and Detroit Business Colleges. He married Ruth E. Hodgins on April 27, 1946, in Detroit; and they later moved to Grayling.Melvin owned the Grayling Insurance Agency and later was president of North Michigan Land and Oil Corporation, where he pursued oil and natural gas exploration. Melvin was a member of the Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, and the Grayling Country Club. He was Treasurer and taught Sunday school at Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church, where he was a member.In 1986, the family moved to Traverse City and began Generations Management LLC. In 2010, Melvin was honored to be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame at his high school in Grayling.He was an avid golfer. Well into his 80s, Melvin was often included by his grandchildren in a charity scrambles match. If he could not out drive them, he could usually out putt them! A biography of Melvin's life, "Man from Grayling, The Life and Times of Melvin K. Nielson," is available in several northern Michigan libraries and is in the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C.Melvin was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Weldon Nielson.Surviving Melvin are his wife, Ruth; children, David (Rebecca) Nielson, Steven Nielson, and Dale (Barbara) Nielson; three grandchildren, Dana (Jonathan) Crosby, Cori Nielson and Keith (Kirstin) Nielson; and six great-grandchildren, Emma and Jonathan Maximus Crosby, Olivia, Tyler, Anna, and Ella Nielson.Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, with visitation one hour prior, at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Burial will take place at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.Memorial contributions may be directed to Grand Traverse Pavilions or Faith Reformed Church.Please sign Melvin's online guest book at www.reynolds-Jonkhoff.com.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City.