Melvin R. Opbroek

Melvin passed away early Friday morning
with his children present after a
long battle with cancer.
Melvin was born March 21, 1932, to Raymond and
Alla OpBroek in Fairfax, S.D. He, his mother, father,
sister and two brothers moved to the Willamette Valley
when he was 5 years old so that his father could
pursue a farming career.
Melvin graduated from Albany High School in 1950,
and joined the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict
and was stationed in Alaska. He received an honorable
discharge as a damage controlman in November
of 1954.
Melvin married Betty Lou Jarvis on May 18, 1957,
in Portland, where they made their home with their
four children until 1968. He purchased a Frito Lay
distributorship and was self-employed until his retirement
in 1995.
Mel was an avid fisherman, hunter and horseman.
He belonged to many service organizations and was
always willing to lend a helping hand wherever he
was needed. Both Mel and Betty were very involved
in St. Mark’s Parish in Waitsburg, where they resided
until 2010.
After Betty’s death, Mel married Lynn Feeney of
Dayton, and lived there until his passing.
Mel is survived by wife, Lynn; her children and
grandchildren; his sister, Elaine Merryfield of Ness,
Kan.; his daughter, Lori Hart (Harold) of Walla Walla;
his sons, Mike OpBroek (Petra) of Walla Walla,
David OpBroek of Seattle, and Gary OpBroek (Beth)
of Lewisville, Texas; and seven grandchildren, nine
great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his former wife, Betty;
and his two brothers, Cletus and Larry, and their
spouses.
Rosary will be held on Sunday, July 24, at 7 p.m.
at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dayton. Funeral
services will follow on Monday, July 25, at 10 a.m. at
St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Waitsburg. The Alter
Society will be providing a meal after mass. The family
will attend a private internment at the Waitsburg
Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made at to
the Walla Walla Community Hospice through Herring
Groseclose Funeral Home.