Elmer Gerald Melby

1902 - 2006

Elmer G. Melby, a long-time resident of Salem, passed away on natural causes on Saturday, November 11, at the age of 104. Mr. Melby was born in 1902 in Manfred, North Dakota. He was one of thirteen children. His parents were immigrants from Norway and Sweden and were early homesteaders in that part of the state.

Elmer spent his boyhood on the family farm in Burke County, located in northwest North Dakota. At the age of 17, he left home and joined the US Navy. He was a veteran of WW II, seeing active duty in Pearl Harbor and various locations in the South Pacific. He retired from the military after the end of the war and returned to his home in North Dakota, accompanied by his wife and two children. They farmed in North Dakota until 1960, when they moved to Eugene, Oregon. Elmer worked for the Bon Marche' department store in Eugene for a number of years, installing draperies.

Mr. Melby was an accomplished musician, playing both the clarinet and violin. He was also a talented artist who completed numerous oil paintings, primarily of horses. He was an avid walker and jogger into his 80s and enjoyed sports of all kinds. He loved to watch the Oregon State Beavers football games.

Until recently, Elmer lived at home with his wife of 63 years, Mary. In January he entered a nursing home in South Salem.

He is survived by his wife, three sons, one daughter, four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held Wenesday, November 15th at First United Methodist Church in Salem, Or. Interment was in Springfield Memorial Gardens, Springfield, Or. Arrangements were by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.