Melvin M. Verbeck age 84 of Oroville went home peacefully to his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 with his beloved wife and daughter by his side. He was born August 31, 1930 in Olympia to parents Gaylen and Helen Verbeck. The family moved to Tonasket where Melvin was raised. He attended the Tonasket Schools and graduated from Tonasket High School in 1948. He attended Laverne College for 1 year and then moved to Olympia where he worked with his uncle building a commercial fishing boat. He moved back to Tonasket and began working at Verbeck Brothers until entering the US Army in 1951 where he served as a medic. On July 12, 1952 he married Norma Gerken in Ellisforde. Following an honorable discharge, he moved back to Tonasket and returned to work for Verbeck Brothers. In 1955, the family moved to Oroville and there, Melvin ran the redi-mix plant. In 1956, they purchased property on Hwy. 97 South of Oroville where they built a home and planted an orchard. Together they lived there until retirement in 1981 when they moved to their current home on Lake Osoyoos. Melvin spent time enjoying the lake especially sailboarding, catamaran sail boating and fishing. He also enjoyed hunting and travelling with his family and friends. For many years he and his wife, Norma, enjoyed Square Dancing together. Melvin was active and attended the Oroville Free Methodist Church and was a member of the Oroville American Legion.

SURVIVING RELATIVES

Wife: Norma at home

Daughter: Beverly Manthie of Oroville

Granddaughter: Dawn Manthie of Post Falls, ID

Several Nieces, Nephews and Cousins

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Dwayne and son in law, Kip Manthie.

SERVICES

Graveside Services will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2015 10:00 AM at the Ellisforde Brethren Cemetery with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM at the Oroville Free Methodist Church. Officiating the services will be Pastor Rod Brown and the Oroville American Legion. Memorials may be made to the Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202, US Armed Forces Legacy P.O.Box 854 Tonasket, WA 98855 or an organization of choice.