Melvin R. 'Mel' Buck, 86

Melvin R. "Mel" Buck, 86, passed away in Kennewick, Wash., on Friday, Dec. 15, 2006.

Funeral services will be conducted at Meuller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006. Pastor Ken Buck will officiate with interment scheduled in Pinecrest Memorial Park in Sandpoint, Idaho.

A family memorial service, in Sandpoint, will be announced in the spring of 2007.

Mel was born in Macy, Neb., on Nov. 15, 1920, the son of George and Mabel Buck. He attended schools in Nebraska, where he graduated from the eighth grade.

On Aug. 18, 1941, he married Joyce R. Gray in South Sioux City, Neb. Following his marriage he moved the family to the Colburn area.

He worked in the woods for a period of time and then started driving truck. He drove lumber truck for the Hedlund Lumber Company, retiring about 1987.

Mel loved history, teasing his grandchildren, old cars, and old trucks.

He is survived by his wife, of 65 years, Joyce Buck of Yakima, Wash.; three children, Shirley, and Don, Loveland of Moxee, Wash., Marjorie Wood of Yakima, Wash., and Fred, and Cathie, Buck of Kennewick, Wash.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Florence, and Jim, Covey of Spokane, Wash.; and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

If Mel could speak to you today, he would say, "The heavenly coffee is great"

He was preceded in death by his parents; and four brothers, Ivan, Don, Ted, and Bob.

Memorials may be made to: Hospice @ The Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat Ave., Kennewick, WA 99337, or to Yakima Memorial Hospice, 1019 S. 40th Ave., Yakima, WA 98908.

Family and friends are invited to sign Mel's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.