Melvin Buttel

On Jan. 25, 2012, Melvin joined his beloved wife, Trula Buttel who preceded him in death in 2003. Melvin died of Alzheimer's in West Valley City, Utah at the home of his daughter, Yvonne B. Jones, where he has lived since 2007. Melvin was born May 8, 1920, in the small farming community of Sherman Okla., no longer found on any map. He was the 10th son, and 13th child of 14 children to Fredrick William Buttel and Rosa Lavina Buttel. He married Trula I Blaksley on Dec. 21, 1945 in Woodward, Okla. This marriage was later sealed in the Los Angeles temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints after joining the church in 1961. He is survived by his older brother, Cecil Buttel; daughter, Yvonne B. Jones, who is married to David H. Jones, and son David Brenay, who is married to Nhung Brenay. He had 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was born and raised on a farm and started out his life as a farmer. He soon started working and became very skilled as a monument craftsman and followed this profession the majority of his life. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, and they lived in 18 homes in four states. When they moved to Arizona they started owning their own businesses. First was a laundromat, then a hobby and craft store in Apache Junction. Trula called on help from Mel after his retirement to help with the store, and it morphed into The Craft and Hobby House in Mesa. With Mel's help, this store in Mesa became the place to go for radio controlled planes, cars, boats, etc. in the Phoenix area. In 1988 they retired and moved to the Show Low area at White Mountain Lake, where they were active in the community and volunteered for the Navajo county Sheriff's Auxiliary. He was a high priest in the LDS church and helped with local missionary work. Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 28, in West Valley City, Utah. A viewing and family get together will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Owens Livingston Mortuary, 320 N 9th St. in Show Low, immediately followed by internment at Show Low City Cemetery. Owens Livingston Mortuary of Show Low handled the arrangements.