Melvern R. Wilson

Melvern R. Wilson, age 83, passed away on Friday, July 25, 2014 at his home in Green Bay with his daughter, Wendy and son, Craig by his side.

He was born on June 1, 1931, in Milwaukee, WI, where he attended Victory Elementary, Pulaski High School, and graduated from Boys Tech in 1950. While furthering his education with technical home schooling Mel worked as a Service Station Manager at an uncle's service station and also with his uncle Lloyd servicing televisions to lay the foundation of his career in electronic service and repair.

In 1952 Mel entered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and served with Co. "A" 70th Engineer Battalion, stationed in Saalfelden, Austria during the Korean War.

Upon returning to the US Mel worked briefly in the Milwaukee area. He then relocated to the family's vacation home on Long Lake in Langlade Co. where he continued his career in television repair as well as the building construction and opening of Mel's Service providing gas, oil, and auto repairs. Located on Hwy 45 in Summit Lake, this establishment later became Wilson's Café owned and operated by his parents to include a restaurant, filling station, and bait shop favored by locals, truckers, and even a few celebrities stopping on their way through the area. Shortly after moving to Green Bay, Mel met Phyllis Wilson and they were married on December 6, 1963.

In 1966, Mel established the company Wilson's TV & Electronics. His business evolved through the years, starting with tube style TV service, the sales, repair and air contract services of two-way radio systems, owner and operator servicing one of the first repeaters on the WBAY tower, sales and service of marine radio and equipment, radar and navigation equipment including computer technology used today.

Mel was a certified Skin & Scuba Diver and a member of the US Power Squadrons, enjoying many years spent boating and lake fishing on Washington Island, as well as many boating trips on the Bay, Lake Michigan and connecting waters, skiing, and snowmobiling with friends and family, Thursday night bowling league at the Elk's Club where he was a member, and later years he spent Thursday nights playing Cribbage as a member of the American Cribbage Congress. He was a season ticket holder and avid fan of the Green Bay Packers from the beginning, attending the famous Ice bowl and providing many great stories of these memories.

Survivors include his daughter, Wendy Wilson (and Dale); son, Craig Wilson; grandchildren, Kelli (and Mike) Vandermuss and Kory Delaney; and great-grandchildren, Bryce Delaney, Damon Vandermuss and Cyan Vandermuss.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Wilson; and his parents, Ralph & Orpha Wilson.

Visitation will be held from 10:00am until 12:00pm noon on Saturday, August 2, 2014, at Newcomer Funeral Home, 340 S. Monroe Ave., Green Bay *(Monroe Ave., is closed. Access to funeral home is available off Madison St., One Block West of Monroe Ave., and one block north or Chicago)* A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday with Pastor Lathan Duncan officiating.

The family would like to thank the staff of Unity Hospice for their care of Mel during his illness.