Melvin R. Nielsen's Obituary
Melvin R. Nielsen, age 77, passed away Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Corewell Health-Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids after a 2-year battle with non-small cell lung cancer. He was born November 2, 1946, in Muskegon to Bernard and Genevieve (Woirol) Nielsen and was a lifelong resident of the area. Mel was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. On September 10, 1966, he married Jeanne Schulist in Muskegon, and they enjoyed 57 years of adventures in life. They wintered in Sun City, Arizona since 2014 when he retired from SAF-Holland as a Maintenance Manager. Pickleball became a favorite hobby that he shared with his kids and grandkids with weekend round robins. He was an avid Tigers, Lions, and Wolverines fan along with following his grandsons’ hockey and his granddaughters in rugby, soccer and softball. He developed lifelong friendships with his Arizona and Michigan golf groups. Mel was a kind and gentle soul who was willing to help anyone at a moment’s notice. Loving life and ready to follow where his course in life took him with grace. He had a passion for woodworking and found joy in giving his creations away. He loved planning the road trips to and from Arizona, taking new routes and hitting new destinations each time. He attended St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Church and was a member of the American Legion Grand Haven Post 28.
Survivors include his loving wife, Jeanne Nielsen; 3 children, Christy (Lee) Hoffman, Matt (Becky Heyboer) Nielsen, Shawn (Nate) Knash; 6 grandchildren, Austin and Cooper Fox, Braden and Ashlynn Nielsen, Reegan and Kinzley Knash. Brother, Bernard (Jane) Nielsen; Sister, Darlene Peklar; Sister-in-Law, Kathy Nielsen; Jeanne’s siblings, Eleanore Hibbard, Louis Schulist, Barbara Schulist, Phillis and Miki Hiraga, Bobbie Leonard, and Mona and Randy Traxler. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jim Nielsen, brothers and sisters-in-law, Leonard and Beverley Schulist, Charlie Hibbard, Phil Schulist, Brigitte Schulist. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM Friday, April 26, 2024, at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Catholic Church (920 Fulton Street, Grand Haven, MI 49417) with Rev. Fr. Dan Schumaker presiding. Visitation will be held 5-8 PM Thursday at The Lee Chapel of Systema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444, and one hour prior to the Mass on Friday at the church. Interment will take place at Lakeshore Cemetery in Grand Haven. Memorial Contributions may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or The Wounded Warrior Project. Sign the online guestbook at http://www.systemafh.com.
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