Melvin Wallace Timblin, 84

Melvin Wallace Timblin, 84, passed away peacefully on Dec. 30, 2007, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Wash.

Services were held on Jan. 4, 2008, in the American Legion Hall in Metaline Falls, Wash.

Melvin was born March 26, 1923, in Colburn, Idaho, to Rex and Mahala Timblin. He graduated from Sandpoint High School in 1941. From there, he joined the U.S. Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Enterprise aircraft carrier, which won a presidential citation for eight major battles, including the Doolittle Raid and survived the sinking of the U.S.S. Hornet in the Battle of Santa Cruz. He retired from the Army National Guard in 1983.

After World War II, he worked as a logger for many years and always considered himself a lumberjack first despite many other occupations in construction and mechanics. He was a member of the Enterprise Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and 40+8.

Hunting and fishing in Alaska with his sons was his favorite pastime. He loved gambling, poker, blackjack, computer games and family gatherings.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rex and Mahala Timblin; a brother, James Timblin; sisters, Lucille Cunningham and Mabel Anna Timblin; and a grandson, Travis Crabb.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Patricia; sons, Bruce (Dori) Timblin; Mark Timblin, Rex (Margee) Timblin, Steven Timblin and Damon (Eve) Timblin; daughters, Marcia (Bruce) Crabb, Bridgit (Sanders) Welch and Jennifer (Larry) Maupin; and sisters, Patricia Evans, Mary Ellen Roberts and Carol Peiffer.

He also is survived by 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.