Ronald E. Mell

Ronald E. Mell Battle Creek Ronald E. Mell, 76, of Battle Creek died unexpectedly Friday, October 1, 2010, in Jackman, Maine at Mountainview Resort with his wife and daughter and son-in-law. Ron was born November 12, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan to Edgar E. and Helen (Cleary) Mell. He grew up in Lincoln Park, attended Calvary Lutheran School and then completed four years as a cadet at Concordia Lutheran High School in Ft. Wayne, IN. Ron came to Battle Creek to work as an announcer for Radio Station 1400 WELL and became their program director for many years. Ron was employed for S. H. Leggitt Company/Marshall Brass Division for over 35 years prior to retiring. After retiring he worked part-time for Progressive Dynamics in Marshall. He was still doing consulting work for S. H. Leggitt Company prior to his death. Ron married Lorena Ann Bakalar in Ft. Wayne, IN on December 15, 1950. Surviving are Ann, his wife of 59 years; two daughters, Sherry (Ron) Anderson of Battle Creek, Sandy (Mike) Niemiera of Bolingbrook, IL; a son, Rick (Joy) Mell of Battle Creek; 12 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Charlene Sjostrand of St. Louis, MO. Ron was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Thomas E. Mell. Ron was a member of Redemption Lutheran Church. Previously he was a member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church for 51 years, where he was president, the choir director and an Elder for 14 years. He was a prominent member of the L. P. Gas Board of Directors and set many of the current standards in use today. He was a longtime member and officer of the Battle Creek Optimist Club, was its president 1963-64 and Optimist of the Year in 1964. Ron was known for his beautiful voice, was a 55+ year member of the National S.P.E.B.S.Q.A. Barbershoppers Society and a member of the local chapter where he was a bass with the award winning Harmony Hounds. With the Harmony Hounds he performed throughout the country for over 10 years. In 1970, as a Harmony Hound, he served the U.S.O., touring and entertaining the troops in Japan. In late 1973 he went to England with the Hounds to judge England's first Barbershop Quartets and then toured Europe for three weeks. He also directed both the men's and women's Sweet Adeline Choirs. Ron loved singing, fishing, golfing and traveling and was a woodworker who enjoyed making furniture and toys. At the request of the family, friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where they will be received 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services to celebrate Ron's life will be held at Redemption Lutheran Church, 2450 W. Michigan Avenue in Battle Creek, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 7, 2010. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Redemption Lutheran Church, The National Barbershop Society or the American Diabetes Association. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.