Melvin Allen Israelsen

Melvin Allen Israelsen 1922 ~ 2006 Melvin Allen Israelsen, father, salesman, wheeler-dealer, wanderer, card player, grandpa, big-idea guy, died Friday, Sept. 22, 2006 in Murray. He was 83. Born Sept. 30, 1922 in North Logan, Cache County, to Orson Winso and Jennie (Allen) Israelsen. Melvin spent much of his youth on the family dairy farm. By the early 1940s, he was training to become a Navy pilot for the planned invasion of Japan. After the war, he traveled the Intermountain West, selling advertising for The Deseret News. In the 1950s, he moved his family to Los Angeles, then Chicago for his work as a sales rep for a national newspaper advertising firm. He returned to Utah in 1962 to work for the Newspaper Agency Corp, then Fidelity Insurance. A highly social creature, the "Mel Man," as some friends called him, traveled to virtually every continental state, an achievement that would later allow him to strike up conversations with just about anyone he met. "So you're from Boston, eh?" he'd say. "A 130 years ago I worked for The Boston Globe." Between train and plane trips around the USA, he enjoyed the Utah backcountry, where he hunted elk and deer. He married Hannah Louise Matkin, of Hyde Park; and later divorced. They had five children, Anne Louise Hartle, Ivins, Terri (Mike) Willey, Bountiful, Melvin Bruce, Bountiful, Craig Allen, Tempe, AZ, and Brent Winso (Rebecca Walsh), Salt Lake City. Married Bonnie Houston (now deceased). They had one daughter, Melonie Israelsen-Toro (George). In his later years, he lived in the Southwest. From 1992 to 1999, he was general manager of Pink Cliffs Village Resort, on Scenic Byway 12 near Bryce Canyon, his favorite national park. During the past decade, he traveled extensively, often with a son or two, to Italy, Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico, and a Caribbean island forbidden to Americans. He also enjoyed air shows, antique shows, and Las Vegas, where he could chat with people from around the world about geography, business, and current events. With his big smile, John Wayne-like voice, and hearty laugh, he was instantly liked by strangers, many of whom, pointing to his white beard, exclaimed, "Santa Claus!" or "Fidel!" or "Z.Z. Top!" He cherished the many friendships he gained at the Friendship Manor during the past 19 months. In addition to his children, he is survived by 16 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and a brother, Orson Allen Israelsen, Albuquerque. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Lettie (Rodrigo) and Ester (Ferguson); and baby brothers, Elwood and Gerald. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, 1:00 p.m. at the Hyrum Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send cash donations in Melvin's name to VA Salt Lake City Hospital General Post Fund, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84148-0001. An online guestbook is available at www.russonmortuary.com