Mel went home to Freda surrounded by family at Isabella County Medical Care Facility on March 5th, 2016 at 91 years old. He resided on the farm in Farwell. He was born to Lewis Napoleon LaVoye and Mabel Belle (Sieting) LaVoye in Mancelona Township on May 8th, 1924. He graduated from Isabella County Public Schools on June 1st, 1940.  He was united in marriage to Freda Mae Snyder on September 4th, 1954 in Angola, Indiana. He and Freda bought the farm in 1954. Melvin built the home his wife designed in 1973. He worked as a welder and raised beef cattle. He was the welder for the Signal Department of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad between Novi and Toledo. He also welded for Loomis Manufacturing.  He loved woodworking and made all of his children and grandchildren beautiful pieces of furniture and cedar chests. He loved his home, his garden, and his John Deere Crawler. The thing he loved most in the world was his family and was always there to take care of each and every one of us.

     Mel is survived by his children Carol Wood (Willard Owens, friend) of Loomis, Lew LaVoye of Farwell and Jodi (Ronald) Campbell of Mt. Pleasant. 5 grandchildren Gary Wood of Harrison, Scott (Rowena) Wood of Grand Rapids, Lonney LaVoye of Mt. Pleasant, and Alyssa Baker of Mt. Pleasant; 5 great grandchildren, Monica Wood, Gary Wood, Hope Shea all of Harrison, Katarina Wood and Brayden Wood, both of Grand Rapids. He is also survived by his brother Tex (Leona) LaVoye of Harrison, sisters Juanita Whitmore of Shepherd, Lila Koontz of Clio, Vivian Robinson of Coleman and Lola Scarbrough of Cadillac. He was preceded in death by the love of his life Freda Mae LaVoye on June 20th, 2015 and his brothers Max LaVoye, Dayton LaVoye, sisters Ruey Rodrigues, and Mavis Curtis, brother in laws Harold Scarbrough and Wayne Whitmore.

     Mel will be laid to rest next to his dear wife at Gilmore Township Cemetery, where a memorial service is planned for Sunday, May 8, 2016 at 2 p.m. with Rev. F. Robert Ruyts officiating.  A dinner following will be held at the Gilmore Township Hall.  Please wear your best Levis and your barn boots. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Mid Michigan Community College Welding Program.  Envelopes are available at the Rowley Funeral Home.

     The family would like to send a big thank you to the staff at the Isabella County Medical Care Facility for the loving care they gave to Mel.

     Until we meet again in the pasture. No worries, we will feed the cattle and walk the fence line.