Donald Stewart Mellen, Sr.

Donald S. Mellen, Sr., age 77, of Crewe, Virginia, formerly of Salt Lake City, Utah, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2009.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, LaVerne Simmons Mellen; four children, Donald S. Mellen, Jr.(Carol) of Winterhaven, Florida; Janette M. Baranishyn(Peter) of Crewe, VA; Jeffrey D. Mellen(Debera) of Midas, Nevada; and Mark J. Mellen(Ryanna) of Salt Lake City, Utah; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and a brother, Dent Mellen(Dee) of Salt Lake City, Utah. Donald was preceded in death by a brother, Doyle Mellen.

He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1952. His first assignment was with NATO in Paris, France and there he became the NATO Skeet Champion. Donald was a disabled Vietnam War veteran and later became a recruiter for the United States Air Force. Upon Donald's retirement from the Air Force, he being an avid photographer, operated his own business, Bishop Studios of San Diego, California. He later moved to Nevada, where he also owned and operated the Midas Gold Circle Bar in Midas.

After retiring a second time, Donald and LaVerne relocated to Virginia in 2004 to be with their daughter.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 P.M., Tuesday, July 28, 2009, at the Joseph McMillian Funeral Home, 1826 Cox Rd.(Hwy. 460 Bus.), Blackstone, VA 23824. Military honors will begin at 6:30 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.

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