Melvin Steven Walker

Melvin Steven Walker passed away Tuesday, May 21, 2019, at the Schneidmiller House.

He was born April 2, 1927, in Faith, S.D., the son of Bryon Sanford Walker and Ada Fern (Ashton) Walker. Melvin spent his first years growing up on a farm in South Dakota, until a severe drought hit the area, which caused his family to leave their home, becoming a part of the migration to the Northwest. He would often say that when he first saw this area, he couldn’t believe the green trees, the abundant gardens and the scenery.

He learned to work at a very young age, often picking strawberries for local families. He first met his future bride, Eva, when he was about 10 years old and worked picking strawberries for Eva’s grandfather. Mel was picking the strawberries; Eva was eating them.

Over the years, they became friends and started dating in their teens. Eva was 17 and Melvin was 19 when they married.

Melvin attended school in a one-room schoolhouse on the Rimrock in Hayden and then at Hayden Lake School. During his sophomore year, he decided to leave school. He and a friend left the area at age 16 and went to Bremerton, Wash., to work in the shipyards.

He returned home and worked until he joined the Merchant Marines. He served until 1945, at which time he joined the Army Air Force.

When home on leave, he promised Eva that they would be married when the war was over. While at the movies together, a newsreel came on, declaring the war was over. They were married soon after.

After his discharge from the Army, he and Eva moved to Farragut, where he attended trade school to become an electrician. During this time they started their family, which eventually included seven children.

After school, Melvin worked at Coulee Dam and at the Hanford Site, but home was calling and they eventually moved back to Hayden in the mid 1950s. There, he started his own business, Hayden Electric. Melvin was an electrical contractor in the area until they moved to the Moscow-Lewiston area in the late 1970s, where he built and remodeled several homes.

They lived in Lewiston area until 2017, when Melvin had a stroke and they moved back to Coeur d’Alene to be near family. Eva was the love of his life. Together, they forged a life that taught their children the value of hard work and the importance of family.

Melvin is preceded in death by his wife, Eva; his daughter, Judith; his brothers and one sister. He is survived by his older sister, Ada Grace Chandler, and by his children: Steven (Betty) Walker, Marilyn (Bill) Willard, Thomas (Terri) Walker, Wesley (Stacy) Walker, Kelly (Teresa) Walker, and William (Eileen) Walker. Grandchildren: Greg Willard, Shane Walker, Jeremy Willard, Travis Walker, Jesse Willard, Sarah (Walker) Skeel, Michael Willard, Jessica (Walker) Frank, Melissa (Walker) Thompson, Laura (Willard) Hansen, Thomas Walker, Jr., Jonathan Walker, Katie (Walker) Shira, Trevor Walker, Andrew Walker, Joseph Walker; and 21 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be 11 a.m. on Friday, May 31, at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way. A reception will follow from noon to 3 p.m. at Red Lion Templin’s on the River, 414 E. First St., Post Falls.

Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to the Schneidmiller House.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Melvin’s memorial and sign his online guest book www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.