Melvin "Mel" E. Anderson

Lifelong Chinook resident, Melvin (Mel) E. Anderson, 89, passed away peacefully with his daughter by his side on July 5, 2026, after a brief stay at Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls, MT. Mel was born May 13,1937 in Havre, MT to Alice (Severson) and Clarence Anderson. He graduated from Chinook High School in 1955. He met Donna Friede in September 1961 and they were married April 29, 1962, in Chinook MT. His love of cars started before he graduated high school. In 1980, he and Donna made the leap and opened Mel’s Auto Repair, and they worked side by side building that business. After Donna’s passing in 2011, he continued working until his retirement in 2018, completing 66 years in the automotive and autobody repair business. Mel also served in the Army National Guard as a tank crewman and track vehicle mechanic from 1955 and was honorably discharged in 1963. He was humbled and proud when he was formally recognized as a U.S. Veteran in 2023.

Mel was a lifelong member of the American Lutheran Church in Chinook, serving in many capacities over the years. He was also a member of the Bullhook Barbershop Chorus for 27 years and the baritone in the Barbershop Quartet, Sagebrush. He loved to sing however loved the lifelong friendships that he made across Montana and Canada as much or even more. Mel was also a Boston Red Sox fan his entire life as he spent hours growing up listening to the Red Sox with his Grandpa Severson on the old radio.

Mel is survived by his daughter, Deb (Ron Wiseman) of Chinook and Choteau, MT; his son Curt (Heidi) of Kalispell, MT; 2 grandchildren, Brooke (Dan) Weaver and Kyle Sampson all of Kalispell; 4 great grandchildren, Taylor (Noah) Mansker, Koltyn Weaver, & Ashlyn Weaver all of Minnesota & Rowen Weaver of Kalispell. He is also

survived by numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna in 2011, his parents, his brothers Russell, LeRoy, and Bernie and sisters, Marian Erskine and Joyce Halter.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 11am at the American Lutheran Church in Chinook. Visitation will be held on July 14, 2026, from 6-9pm at Wilderness Funeral Home in Chinook. The family asks that memorials be made to PAWS of Chinook in Lieu of flowers or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin "Mel" E. Anderson, please visit our floral store.