Melvin Donner

Melvin, age 85 passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at the Fort Meade Veteran's Administration Hospital in Sturgis, South Dakota from complications of Chronic Lymphoma Leukemia and congestive heart failure.Melvin Harvey Donner was born on April 12, 1923 the son of Charlie M. and Dora P. (Harvey) Donner in Gillette, Wyoming. He was raised and educated in Campbell County. Melvin helped his family on the ranch and after his education he enlisted in the U.S. Navy on December 18, 1943. He served Asiatic, Pacific and Philippine theatres. Melvin was honorably discharged April 16, 1946. He returned to his home in Wyoming where he met and later married Evelyn Whisler. They were married on December 25, 1946 in Rozet, Wyoming. They had one son, Harvey and a daughter Vida. They made their home in the Moorcroft area and Melvin was employed with the Belle Fourche Pipeline as an assistant supervisor. Melvin started working at age fifteen with various jobs, and after almost 30 years of work, Melvin retired on January 5, 1989.Melvin enjoyed listening to the bagpipers along with hunting and fishing. He was a lifetime member of the Moorcroft VFW Post #8473 and was a descendant of the famous Donner Party.Melvin is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Evelyn Donner of Gillette, Wyoming, one son, Harvey ( Jennifer ) Donner of Recluse, Wyoming, two grandsons, Jeff Donner and Matt Donner, one granddaughter, Traci Nelson, great-grandchildren Sarah Nelson, JeRay Nelson and Seton Donner, one daughter, Vida (Paul) McCollam of Idaho Falls,Idaho, and grandson Phillip McCollam, brothers Bob and Gary Donner of Upton, Wyoming, sister Evelyn O'Donnell of Filer, Idaho and several nieces and nephews. Melvin was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Teresa Rae Donner, his parents, two brothers and two sisters.A memorial has been established to the Treasured Memories Hospice and Palliative Care or to the Fort Meade Veterans Hospital. Memorials and condolences may be sent in care of the Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or via the internet www.walkerfuneralgillette.com