Melvin “Mel" Gabrielson, 83, of 1302 Minneapolis Avenue, Gladstone, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday afternoon, June 30, 2010, at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba.

Mel was born February 25, 1927 and raised in the Buckeye addition in Gladstone. He was one of seventeen children born to Swedish immigrants, Erick and Lena (Malmberg) Gabrielson.

Mel joined the United States Army serving his country proudly from 1945 through 1947 during the German Occupation following World War II. He graduated from Gladstone High school in 1948 and on September 8, 1951 was united in marriage to Carole Friedgen at the St. Thomas Catholic Church in Escanaba. They made their home in Gladstone, a community that Mel helped shape and construct. He made his living as a plasterer and mason. His work ethic, compassion and strong belief on giving to the community led him to volunteer his time and talents to building projects around the community, especially regarding the Gladstone schools and city projects, yacht club and local churches. Mel was also a longtime member of the First Lutheran Church, a very active member and Commadore of the Gladstone Yacht Club, past President of the Gladstone Lions Club and Brick Layers Union, a member of the Swedish Club and a volunteer with the Gladstone Fire Department.

Mel’s greatest passion was sailing. He learned how to sail at age 5 when his two older brothers built a sailboat and taught him how to sail. Sailing was a lifelong passion of his and as an adult he built his own 33 foot wooden yawl and named it “Lolli-Dee”, after his two daughters. For many years he hosted the Gabrielson’s Family Regatta at the Gladstone Yacht Club.

Mel’s sense of humor and practical jokes will be missed by many.

Mel is survived by his wife, Carole, two daughters, Lauri (Bob) DeCamp of Gladstone, MI and Julie (Todd) Voss of Marion, Indiana. Four Grandchildren, Katie (Neil) Ham of East Lansing, MI, Stephen DeCamp of Boston, MA, Matt (Lynette) Voss of Shiloh Springs, Arkansas and Emily (David) Slabaugh of Indianapolis, IN. His sister, Lillian Bentz of Albuquerque, New Mexico and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 6 brothers- Alvin, Oliver “Pee Wee”, Clarence “Kella”, Bill, Floyd and George and 6 sisters- Alva, Mildfred, Cecelia, Eleanore, Dorothy and Eilleen.

Melvin’s family will receive friends on Monday, July 5 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the First Lutheran Church in Gladstone. Funeral services will follow at 6:00 PM at the church with Pastor Jonathon Schmidt officiating. A luncheon will be served immediately following services in the church fellowship hall. Melvin will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery in Gladstone with Military Honors presented by the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post 71.  The Gabrielson family is being assisted by the Skradski-Boyce Family Funeral Homes of Delta County. Use the form below to express your sympathy to the Gabrielson family or to leave a memory tribute about Mel.