Melvin W. Selander

Melvin Selander was born in Portland, OR to Gustave and Alice Selander. He has three living sisters; Eunice, Gloria and Emily, and two brothers who are both deceased, Earl and Howard. As a child growing up the family moved a lot. They had a Guernsey dairy farm, and Mel was very active in 4-H and FFA. Shortly after graduating from Corvallis High School in 1940, Mel joined the Navy in June of 1942. He served most of his time in the South Pacific as a Signalman, and traveled to many places, including Japan right after the bombing. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945. Upon returning home from the Navy, the family relocated to Sherwood. Mel worked for 5 years doing building work, and then became a master carpenter for 35 years. He was well known for his work, and kept very busy on the family dairy farm as well during this time. Even after retirement, he continued to do countless projects for family, friends, and his church, even into his 90’s. In 1957, he married Lourene Bateson, mother to Kevin, Brenda, and Matthew. She was a good wife and mother. They divorced in 1975. During the early 1980’s, he started doing mission trips to Japan to build/remodel buildings for missionaries and camps. He went to Japan 3 years in a row. Melvin re-married in 1983, to Helen Morrison. She was a wonderful lady. They loved square dancing, estate sales, and traveling to places like Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Alaska, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Japan. Helen passed in 2001, after almost 18 years of marriage. After Helen passed, Mel took a trip by himself across America in his RV. He also enjoyed Caribbean cruises, and an Amtrak train trip around the US. Then he met Jerri at square dancing. She was a great dance partner and friend. They traveled to Peru, Paris, London, India, and did a float trip in Copper Canyon Mexico. Jerri taught Mel how to make quilts, and they made lots of beautiful quilts together. She passed after 5 years of fun together. Mel continued making quilts, hot pads, and tote bags. He gave them to many family members, and for new babies of friends and family. Melvin stayed very active throughout his life, physically, spiritually, and mentally. He loved God, and enjoyed serving him. His last mission trip was to Belize, at age 87, where he built a cement staircase to the 2nd floor of a school. He did all the maintenance for his church for years, well into his 90’s, as well as helping to build it. Mel was always helping out family and others wherever he could, as well as volunteering at the food bank every week up until his last couple weeks. He had the gift of a servant’s heart. Melvin was a loving father, husband, brother, grandfather and friend, and will be deeply missed by all whose lives and hearts he touched. His was truly a life well lived, and was very blessed! God Bless! The family would like to thank Providence Hospital Hospice, VA personnel, and Visiting Angels for their help, love and kindness shown to him and our family. Also, thank you to Attrell’s Funeral Home and Friend’s Community Cemetery. A celebration of life for Melvin will be at Tualatin Hills Christian Church on Saturday November 10, at 1 PM Melvin desired any donations to go to Tualatin Hills Christian Church Through this site, we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.

Melvin W. Selander

December 1, 1921 - November 2, 2018