Obituary of Douglas E. Melin

Douglas E. Melin, 82 of Brookston died Saturday, May 7, 2011 in St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth with his loving family by his side. He was born May 15, 1928 in Culver to Albin and Valborg Melin. Doug grew up in Culver and attended Culver and Alborn schools. He was an Army Veteran serving during the Korean Conflict. He married Betty Peterson on August 27, 1950 in Cloquet and they made their home in Brookston. Doug worked for the DM&IR Railroad for more than 36 years. He was very active in the Brookston Community, serving as city clerk for more than 30 years and the fire warden for close to 50 years. Doug loved baseball and was always involved in the game. He started and coached Little League and community baseball, coached women's softball, was one of the co-founders of the Albrook Sports Club and was instrumental in getting lights installed on the sports field. The Brookston ball field was named in his honor. For more than 40 years Doug has been active in the Memorial Day Services at area cemeteries and was a huge part of the Fourth of July Celebration in Brookston. He was a member of the Cloquet VFW and the Brookston American Legion. He was also a member of Immanuel Lutheran church where he had served on the church council in several capacities. Doug was preceded in death by three brothers, Clifford, Roy, and Carl Melin; one grandson, Beau Melin; and one great grandson, Daniel Kilduff. He is survived by and will be sadly missed by his wife of 60 years, Betty; daughter, Judy (Dan) Hanson of Brookings, South Dakota; sons Bob of Cloquet and Steve (Cathy) of Brookston; brother Alex of Brookston; sister Janice (Richard) Dallmann of Sparks, Nevada; six grandchildren, Melina (Jeremy) Kilduff, Eric Hanson, Justin and Tyler Melin, and Destanie and Mariah Melin; and four great grandchildren, Ally and Ben Kilduff, Zion and Devina Melin; and many loving friends and family. Memorial Services were held on Thursday, May 12, 2011 in the Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St. in Cloquet. Military Honors were accorded by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. A time of lunch and fellowship followed in the Fireside Room of the funeral home. To sign the guest book and offer an online tribute, see www.atkinsnorthlandfuneralhome.com