1915
Melvin
2015
Melvin Ralph Buttice
February 19, 1915 — June 2, 2015
Melvin died at his home, 929 Home Ave., Walla Walla, WA. He celebrated his 100th birthday on the 19th of February 2015. He was born in Walla Walla, his mother, Gosephine Tarrello Buttice and his father, Pietro Buttice. Melvin attended school at Braden till the 8th grade. The Depression hit in 1929, Melvin & his brother, Ernie, had to help in the onion & vegetable fields to earn money for the family. Melvin & Ernie sold the onions & vegetables to the neighborhood driving their horse & buggy, making $8.00 a day.
When he was 22 years of age, he married his sweetheart, Florence Gruel in June 1938. Florence preceded him in death on November 21, 2001. They were married for 70 years. Melvin & Florence had one child, Mellene Buttice Keudell of Vancouver, Washington.
Melvin enlisted in the military on October 9, 1942. He was a Parachute Rigger & while overseas, he was with the 20th AAF in Asiatice Pacific and Santa Maria, CA. He was responsible for packing & repacking AAF & Navy parachutes. He repaired parachutes, made canvas articles, along with engine, wheel, wings & tank covers. He repaired B-24 bags & zippers.
He was honorably discharged from the military on February 5, 1946. He then went to work for Bill Berney for 75 cents a day. He drove truck & thought that was a big deal for a kid. He then delivered bakery products for Henry Condon who was the owner for a long time. He was paid $30 a week plus commission. Melvin decided he needed to start his own business; he opened one of the first hamburger stands up Tollgate for 15 cents a piece. When fall came, he sold his hamburgers at the Southeastern Fairgrounds. He then expanded to selling onion plants, garlic, asparagus & potato chips along with Nalley products & Frito Lays in Washington & Idaho. He supplied Whitman College with grocery products & apples. Melvin spent 46 years of dedicated service to the Tri State Steelheaders.
Melvin & Florence went on a pilgrimage with the Bishop Lawrence Welch, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They visited the Pope, went to Paris, & Llourdes of Fatima.
He was president of Walla Walla Figure Skating club & attended the Nationals held in Seattle. He was co-chairman of the Eagles Ballroom dancing Committee. Melvin & Florence went to Arthur Murray dancing group in Portland & learned new steps for dancing. For a few years, he entertained with his Mandolin that he purchased for $25 at the age of 12. He was determined to learn to play in at nursing homes throughout Walla Walla.
Melvin was a member of Assumption Catholic Church, life member of BPOE #287 & VFW & the Tri State Steelheaders.
Melvin is survived by his daughter, Mellene Buttice Keudell (David) of Vancouver, WA; brothers, Ernie (Jane) Buttice & Emilio (Carmy) Buttice all of Walla Walla and numerous nieces & nephews. He had 2 sisters, Jenny Paietta & Rose Teal who preceded him in death as well as 4 brothers, Joseph, John, Jim & Tony and his parents.
Viewing & visitation will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2015 from 1:00 PM until after the Rosary at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. The Rosary will be recited at 5:00 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2015 also at the funeral home. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 8, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Assumption Catholic Church with Father Pedro Bautista Peraza, Celebrant. Entombment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. There will be a reception & lunch for family, relatives & friends following the services at Assumption Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Assumption Catholic Church through the funeral home.
When he was 22 years of age, he married his sweetheart, Florence Gruel in June 1938. Florence preceded him in death on November 21, 2001. They were married for 70 years. Melvin & Florence had one child, Mellene Buttice Keudell of Vancouver, Washington.
Melvin enlisted in the military on October 9, 1942. He was a Parachute Rigger & while overseas, he was with the 20th AAF in Asiatice Pacific and Santa Maria, CA. He was responsible for packing & repacking AAF & Navy parachutes. He repaired parachutes, made canvas articles, along with engine, wheel, wings & tank covers. He repaired B-24 bags & zippers.
He was honorably discharged from the military on February 5, 1946. He then went to work for Bill Berney for 75 cents a day. He drove truck & thought that was a big deal for a kid. He then delivered bakery products for Henry Condon who was the owner for a long time. He was paid $30 a week plus commission. Melvin decided he needed to start his own business; he opened one of the first hamburger stands up Tollgate for 15 cents a piece. When fall came, he sold his hamburgers at the Southeastern Fairgrounds. He then expanded to selling onion plants, garlic, asparagus & potato chips along with Nalley products & Frito Lays in Washington & Idaho. He supplied Whitman College with grocery products & apples. Melvin spent 46 years of dedicated service to the Tri State Steelheaders.
Melvin & Florence went on a pilgrimage with the Bishop Lawrence Welch, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They visited the Pope, went to Paris, & Llourdes of Fatima.
He was president of Walla Walla Figure Skating club & attended the Nationals held in Seattle. He was co-chairman of the Eagles Ballroom dancing Committee. Melvin & Florence went to Arthur Murray dancing group in Portland & learned new steps for dancing. For a few years, he entertained with his Mandolin that he purchased for $25 at the age of 12. He was determined to learn to play in at nursing homes throughout Walla Walla.
Melvin was a member of Assumption Catholic Church, life member of BPOE #287 & VFW & the Tri State Steelheaders.
Melvin is survived by his daughter, Mellene Buttice Keudell (David) of Vancouver, WA; brothers, Ernie (Jane) Buttice & Emilio (Carmy) Buttice all of Walla Walla and numerous nieces & nephews. He had 2 sisters, Jenny Paietta & Rose Teal who preceded him in death as well as 4 brothers, Joseph, John, Jim & Tony and his parents.
Viewing & visitation will be held on Sunday, June 7, 2015 from 1:00 PM until after the Rosary at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. The Rosary will be recited at 5:00 PM on Sunday, June 7, 2015 also at the funeral home. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 8, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Assumption Catholic Church with Father Pedro Bautista Peraza, Celebrant. Entombment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. There will be a reception & lunch for family, relatives & friends following the services at Assumption Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Assumption Catholic Church through the funeral home.
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