MELVIN LAVERNE SCHWARTZ

1924 - 2017

Melvin Schwartz passed away peacefully at home the evening of December 19th, surrounded by his cherished grandchildren and daughters listening to 40s music that he so enjoyed throughout his life. He had been diagnosed with Lymphoma in December of 2012. He had responded very well to treatment and continued to enjoy his life, until he fell and fractured several ribs and vertebrae, just a few weeks ago. Melvin was born on a farm in Kansas on January 9, 1924. He attended a one-room school house throughout elementary school. He loved school and graduated from Baker University in Baldwin, Kansas on July 22, 1948. He was married the next day to the love of his life, Colleen. They both taught school in Kansas, and became proud, wonderful parents to their four daughters Janeice, Andrea, and the twins, Sonya and Sondra. Returning to school, after starting his family, he earned his Masters at the University of Kansas. In 1961, Melvin moved his family to El Centro, as he got a job teaching math at Central Union High School. He retired from Central in 1988 where his wife, Colleen also taught. His college career was interrupted by WWII. He served his country as an Army Corps engineer from 1943 to 1946 taking him to England, France, Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg, and Germany. He received three battle stars and a French Citation fighting in three major campaigns, the Battle of the Bulge being the most renowned. After he retired, he dedicated himself to his expanding family. He adored his seven grandchildren, and he along with Colleen, spent many happy days camping, fishing, swimming, and going to the beach with their seven sweethearts. He had many interests and hobbies. He loved fishing. He and Colleen would going salmon fishing in Oregon during the summer months, when they were free from school. They also had many excursions to the High Sierras with their grandchildren where they would go trout fishing. He enjoyed playing cards, but his favorite game was poker. Melvin loved music his entire life, and fell asleep each night listening to his CDs. Then, there is the sports world! He loved all sports-especially football, basketball and baseball. He had played football at Baker University, and had the honor of playing in the Kansas Missouri Bowl. He loved the stock market. He and Colleen enjoyed studying and investing together. He was an avid reader, reading the newspaper front to back each morning and his novels nightly. Melvin was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Colleen who passed away in January of 2016. He is survived by his four daughters, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. Janeice Schwartz, Andrea Roark (Charlie), Sonya Hart (Mike), and Sondra Mendoza (Armando) are his loving daughters. Leandra Hart, Marcy Hart, Brent Hart, Mindy Aldridge (Roark), Hilarie Roark, Tiffany Mendoza, and Rhett Mendoza are his beautiful grandchildren. His two great-grandsons are Jackson Aldridge and Aidan Bonanno. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Hubbell. We would like to thank Dr. Syed Ahmed for the great care he gave Melvin. Also, so instrumental to his care and well-being are his granddaughter, Leandra Hart, and his son-in-law, Armando Mendoza. A memorial for family members will be planned for a future date. We all miss him so much, but are so grateful to have had him in our lives and for all he and Colleen did for us. Services will be private.