Cindys Words at Mel's Service

"Mel has so many friends but I would like to thank some people who made a real difference in my brother's life. Wayne and Robert, you'll never know what your friendship with Mel meant to me. You truly blessed and brightened my brother's life by including him in yours, and I can see the three of you again someday argueing over paydays and Life tiles. Always play that Game of Life remembering Mel.

Thank you to Margaret for being there for Dan, so many times, and for loving Mel. You are a very special person in a lot of peoples lives because of who you are and what you do.

My brother always, as far back as I can remember, thought he had such bad luck. And how he and Dan ever came together I'll never know, because really they're complete opposites, nothing alike.
Mel loved the fat-loaded, artery-clogging greasy fast foods,
but Dan wouldn't touch a piece of fried chicken with a ten foot pole.
Dan loved the rugged great outdoors, a live off the land kinda guy.
Mel preferred a heated swimming pool in an air-conditioned hotel.
Mel, a pretty flashy dresser, always looked his best. Wouldn't have it any other way.
But Dan was right at home in an old t-shirt and jeans with no knees.
Dan is really into health, fitness, and lots of exercise.
Mel's idea of exercise was the walk between casinos, pulling the handle on a slot machine or yelling BINGO!
Mel was so dependable, you could set your watch by him.
But if you needed Dan there by 6, you had to tell him 5 and just hoped he wasn't too late.
Dan was just satisfied driving the same old car, day in day out.
But Mel, well you know, Mel had a lot of cars. The list goes on and on.
But one thing they did have in common was their love for each other and acceptance of one another and always being able to be themselves and to be loved, complimenting each other. So the fact that they came together at all was really the best luck my brother ever had.

We have kind of a wacky family. I guess the way we were raised, very close, to know what each other is up to and be right in each others business. And those who have come to our family by way of marriage or love didn't always understand, but always accepted it. I want to thank Dan for loving Mel, and for accepting us, and for being part of our family - forever.

Today our souls feel empty, and our hearts so heavy, and its so hard letting go - difficult to say goodbye. But know it is OK, because what you feel is love.

He was our partner, our brother, our uncle, our godfather, our friend."