David Patrick Mello passed away peacefully on the evening of Sept. 8, 2015, at Hospice House in Hayden, Idaho. Born in San Rafael, Calif., on Feb. 5, 1942, he spent the last 36 years living in North Idaho. He was the youngest of John and Mary (Perry) Mello's six children.

Growing up in San Rafael, he was a member of Sleepers of Marin Car Club and attended reunions years later. He loved old cars and old trucks, and Oldies but Goodies music.

Dave served four years in the Marine Corps at Mare Island and Okinawa, from 1962 to 1966, mainly in the motor pool as a heavy equipment truck driver and mechanic. He was awarded the M14 rifle marksmanship badge. He was very proud to have been a Marine and was a founding life member of the Pappy Boyington Marine Corps League.

All his life he has been a gun enthusiast. He enjoyed shooting and collecting firearms. Dave was a jack of all trades and rarely was there anything he couldn't repair. He spent many hours working on projects in his shop.

Following the military, he married Linda Foehr of San Rafael on April 2, 1977, in Carson City, Nev. They lived in Tremonton, Utah, for a couple of years. It was during his truck driving career there that they moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. He believed that Wolf Lodge was the perfect place to settle and start a family. Dave had a wonderful life here with Linda and his son, Mike.

Dave is predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Alice, John, Marian, Frank, and his nephew Roger Nelson, who recently passed in Tremonton.

Dave is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda; their son, Michael of Seattle, Wash.; his daughter, Michelle Palmer of Tremonton and brother Joseph Mello of Post Falls, Idaho.

In lieu of formal services, the family welcomes friends of the "Honorary Mayor of Wolf Lodge," to an informal Remembrance of Life Celebration at 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at The Willows in Wolf Lodge Creek. It is a potluck with refreshments provided. Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Contributions can be made to Hospice House of North Idaho or Kootenai Humane Society. Please visit Dave's memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.