MELVIN CHARLES ENGE

Melvin Charles Enge, known as Merlin to family, passed on peacefully to his eternal reward on Wednesday, July 16, 2014.
He was born Dec. 20, 1925 in Winnipeg, Man. but moved with his mother, Clara Dimit, and grandparents to Rainy River District at an early age.
Working around Pinewood, Ont. in 1950, he met his wife, Jessie Hickerson, when she started teaching in the area.
They married on Aug. 25, 1956 and were inseparable throughout life—totally dedicated to and supportive of each other.
In 1959, he and Jessie adopted sons, William and Edward, and forged a deeply-bonded family unit. Melvin provided an ideal role model for his sons to emulate.
He relished his times together with his boys, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; as well as with his many in-laws, nieces, and nephews in his and Jessie’s extended families.
He also very much enjoyed frequent coffee shop camaraderie with his good buddies and acquaintances, discussing equipment, current events, and other goings on.
Melvin was always a kind, considerate, and gentle person with a friendly demeanour and a good sense of humour. He lived with integrity and a “pedal to the metal” approach to everything, being a very hard worker in all his endeavours.
Throughout his career, he enjoyed operating trucks and heavy equipment. He worked for a number of employers on the farm, in mining, and in forestry before getting his own trucks, loaders, and a dozer to establish Enge Enterprises.
He was actively having fun in his Eva Lake area gravel pit until shortly before his passing.
Melvin is survived by his wife, Jessie; sons, Bill (Linda) and Ed (Heather); and seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He also is survived by his brothers, Charlie (Mary) Mason, Leslie Mason, and Henry (Mary) Mason; sisters, Eileen (Stan) Zajac and Maxine Bell; numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law (members of the Hickerson clan); and many loving nieces and nephews.
Melvin was predeceased by his mother, Clara Mason; step-father, Jack Mason; brothers, Ray Enge and George Enge; daughter-in-law, Lynn Enge; and infant great-granddaughter, Samantha.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Riverview United Church in Atikokan, Ont.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Atikokan General Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice.