Melvin Leroy Salo, 71, passed away Wednesday, November 17, 2010, at Mt. Carmel  Nursing Home in Milwaukee.

Melvin was born in McDougal, NY on July 11, 1939, son of Irja (nee: Hokkanen) and Arvo Salo.  His mother later moved him and his sister Karen to L'Anse Michigan.  After graduating from L'Anse High School he joined the Air Force and was stationed at Torrejon, in Madrid when he met his wife.  On February 3 ^rd , 1963 he was united in marriage to Maria "Maribel" Lozano-Molina in Alicante, Spain.  Melvin served twenty years in the Air Force in Armament and Electronics for Tactical Fighter Squadrons stationed throughout the world.  He was specially blessed by the lifelong friends he made at Kleine Brogel Air Force base in Belgium.  After his first retirement he returned to school and graduated from Michigan Tech University, in Houghton, MI.  He then moved his family to Racine, WI, to work for Grove Gear in Union Grove.  As his second retirement approached, Melvin took up golf and began looking forward to his golden years.

Melvin leaves our world undoubtedly proud of his two children Cristina (Greg) Salo-Olson of Hales Corners and Steven (Angie) Salo of Wind Lake, and the precious gift of six grand children: Rachel, Mitch and Marissa Olson, Andrew, Nicholas, and Jonathon Salo. Melvin is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Maribel and his sister Karen and preceded in death by his parents.

The family invites anyone who knew Melvin to join them at Veterans Cemetery in Union Grove Tuesday November 23, 2010 at 2pm, to lay Melvin to rest with Full Military Honors.   In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations given to www.alz.org to help end Alzheimer's or for you to join a Memory Walk in your area in 2011.

Unfortunately, though surviving cancer years earlier, Melvin was taken from us slowly over the last three years by a form of dementia called Pick's Disease.  The family would like to thank all who cared for Melvin at Becker-Shoop Nursing home in Racine, as well as those at Mt. Carmel who cared for Melvin and his family in his final months.   Mel, may your mind and body be healed and your ability to watch over us blossom, with your memories of our love etched upon your soul.