March 26, 2013
John E. Melin

John Edwin Melin, 85, passed away March 23, the son of Marion A. (Niles) and Walter Melin. He was born March 1, 1928 in Livingston, Mont. John died at Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions Home in Casper, Wyo., with his dear wife at his side. John was raised on the family ranch in Paradise Valley, graduating as the salutatorian at Park County High School. John married Nancy K. Pomajbo on June 17, 1951 at the Pine Creek United Methodist Church near the family home. John was highly inventive and actively pursued diversification of the ranch incomes by building a saw mill and processing timber harvested from the mountain acreage. Other services were of cutting and threshing oats and straw, beginning with horse-drawn farm equipment. John invented irrigation system timing devices, cattle ear tags and tagging devices. He was always looking for ways to improve the way his work was done. In 1960, John relocated his family to the W-Diamond Ranch, south of Ten Sleep, Wyo., and worked as the ranch foreman until 1966 when the ranch changed ownership and became Otter Creek Grazing Association. John purchased his Super Cub and it became a common sight to catch a glimpse of the reflection of wings in the early morning sunlight, soaring over the mountainside in search of stray cattle or wayward sheep. He was a skilled pilot, flying many miles in the foam-rubber-seat “saddle” using his talents to efficiently manage 90,000 acres as well as flying for neighbors to find lost herds. If there was a rare moment to be called his leisure, John was known to chase the cows from the road and land near his favorite fly-fishing hole at Bear Trap Creek in the Big Horn Mountains. In 1970, when his back gave out from too many miles of rough, dirt roads, ornery horses and hard physical work, John entered his second life career as a licensed farm and ranch realtor establishing Melin Realty in Worland, Wyo. On April 20, 1973, he married his second wife, Edna Crowder, and blended their families. John acted as president of the Realtors Farm and Land Institute, Wyoming Chapter 47, in 1977. He proudly accepted the Realtor of the Year Award. His years of experience and his gift of gab made him a prominent agent, handling properties throughout the Big Horn Basin. In 1988, John married his third wife, Dee Snider, at Worland. John enjoyed hunting and fishing with dear friends, canoeing rivers and lakes of Wyoming and Montana with his wife, brother and son, and camping in the wilderness among the wildlife. He shared his passion of nature and his belief that the most magnificent cathedral upon earth was the mountain vistas made by the hands of God. John is preceded in death by his mother and father, brother George Melin and sister Dorothy (Cupe) Stermitz. John is survived by his wife Dee, children Debbie Melin of Casper, Wyo., Dori Wright of Tooele and Daniel Melin of Hurricane, step-children Kathy Kristen of Burlington, Wyo., Charleen Hamilton of Worland, Wyo., LaDonna Carlile of Boulder, Wyo., and David Dye of Worland, Wyo., 11 grandchildren and nine step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 step-great grandchildren. John is also survived by sister Mavis Rogers of Helena, Mont., brother David Melin of Worland, Wyo., and several nephews and nieces. Funeral services for John will be held at 11 a.m. on March 27 at the United Methodist Church in Worland, Wyo., with Pastor Jim Melin officiating and a reception to follow. Masonic rites will be performed. Interment will be at 11 a.m. on March 29 at Short Hill Cemetery south of Livingston, Mont., with Pastor Jim Melin officiating. There will be a gathering for family and friends to follow at the Pine Creek United Methodist Church, 2468 E. River Road. Assisting with arrangements is Bustard’s Funeral Home in Casper, Wyo. The family respectfully requests memorials in John’s name to be made to Mountain View Regional Hospital, 6550 E. Second St., Casper, WY 82609 and Central Wyoming Hospice & Transitions Home, 319 S. Wilson St., Casper, WY 82601.