Melvin Joseph Gauthier, age 93, passed away peacefully at Valley View Home September 26, 2019. He was born March 20, 1926 to Edmund and Agnes (Stater) Gauthier in Lake Leelanau, Michigan. Melvin married the love of his life Verna McCastle in 1948. They had three children together- Victor, Timothy and Lisa.
Melvin had a long military career. The military took him to Colorado for basic training, Florida, Alaska, Aleutian Islands, Iceland and ended at the Glasgow Airforce Base, Glasgow, Montana. Mel was trained as a ball turret gunner (aka suicide mission) on a B-17 known as the Flying Fortress. Lucky for his family WWII ended before he had to fly on a mission. Melvin retired after 20 years in the military. He and Verna stayed in Glasgow and purchased Trails West Trailer Court and a few other businesses such as the Clansman Café, Fabric Square and the Country Cafe. His wife, Verna passed away August 1998, just two months short of their 50th Wedding Anniversary.
Mel enjoyed carpentry from building houses to building model boats and planes. He was very skilled and could not only do all the carpentry but also the plumbing and wiring.
When not working Mel loved to travel, hunt, fish and camp. He enjoyed his yearly leave “home to Michigan” in his van to see his brothers and sister.
Mel loved to plant trees and shrubs, he was fondly called Johnny Appleseed by his family, friends and neighbors.
Charlie Pride was Mel’s favorite singer and all his vehicles had Charlie Pride music in them.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents Edmund and Agnes; son, Victor; wife, Verna; his brothers, Dean and Linus and his sister, Emily Walter.
He is survived by his brothers, John (Ruth) and Jim (Phyllis) Gauthier; significant other, Ethel ‘Jan’ Buchheit; son, Timothy (Karen Omdahl); daughter Lisa (Matt) Baxter; grandsons, Tyler (Casey)Edwards, Michael Gauthier and Jeremy Gauthier; granddaughters, Erica (Joshua) Ames, Candice Gauthier (Daniel Shawler), Bailee Baxter; great-grandsons, Michael Ames and Owen Shawler and many nieces and nephews.
Melvin wrote, “Six honorable discharges and not too bad a life all the way.”
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday October 3, 2019
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Friday October 4, 2019
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Ave North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Burial with Military Honors
12:15p.m.
Friday October 4, 2019
Highland Cemetery
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Reception
12:30
Friday October 4, 2019
VFW Post #3701
1222 Hwy 2 West
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday October 3, 2019
Bell Mortuary
701 2nd Avenue South
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Friday October 4, 2019
St. Raphael's Catholic Church
412 3rd Ave North
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Burial with Military Honors
12:15p.m.
Friday October 4, 2019
Highland Cemetery
Glasgow, Montana 59230
Reception
12:30
Friday October 4, 2019
VFW Post #3701
1222 Hwy 2 West
Glasgow, Montana 59230
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Kristi Rohde Shipstead says
Lisa and family, I am so sorry for your loss. He had a long life but it doesn’t make it any easier to lose your Daddy. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Hold your memories tight.
Hayley Young says
Lisa and family,
Mel was such a kind and happy man. His smile would light up a room. I’m so very sorry for your loss, keeping you all in my thoughts.