Melvin Warren

Life Story of Melvin W. Warren

On May 9, 1917, Mel Warren was born to Russell Alger and Pearl Everett Warren just north of St. Johns in DuPlain Township. Mel had three siblings, Max, Maxine, and Donald.

Tragically, the Warren family suffered many losses including Maxine at age 1 ½ and Donald at age 5. Also, Russell suffered a ruptured appendix at age 36 when Mel was only 4, leaving Pearl to raise the boys.

Pearl moved the family from the farm home north of St. Johns into the home built by Mel’s grandfather on Walker St. in town. Mel’s grandmother, Rose, played an important role after losing his father at a young age.

Mel attended St. Johns High School and met Pauline Vail when he was a teenager. They dated after Pauline reached 16 years of age and could go to dance halls common in the area.

On April 3, 1937, Mel and Pauline married (eloped). They announced their marriage, purchased a home on Ottawa Street and began a family. They had three boys, Douglas Palmer, Melvin Winfield, Jr., and Richard Everett.

Mel served in the United States Army during World War II and moved the family for a short time to Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Riley, Kansas.

Soon after returning, Mel got out of mint farming and started the Mel Warren Insurance Agency and H&R Block to offer tax services. About the same time, he built a home on Clark Street where the Warren family made their home for 55 years.

While raising a family and building his businesses, Mel was an active member in Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, and the Masonic Lodge. He was also a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church.

When the grandchildren arrived, Mel was nicknamed “Pop”.

For enjoyment, Mel loved to dance. Mel and Pauline could often be found where live music was playing. He also liked golf and was a member of the Clinton County Country Club for 46 years were he patiently taught many members of Warren family the game of golf.

In the 1970’s, Mel built a place at Higgins Lake as a gathering place for his growing family. He captained the motor boat for hours while all tried to water ski and snow skied at Skyline.

Mel and Pauline also loved to travel. They went to Europe on several occasions and to every state in the continental United States except for Maine. Their favorite trips were to visit children and grandchildren scattered throughout the United States – from east coast to west coast.

Mel spent his entire life in the St. Johns area and loved this place. He was a very good husband, father and grandfather and he will be missed by many.

We will keep “playing hard” Pop !

Melvin W. Warren died on September 8, 2010, at the age of 93. He was born in Duplain Twp., on May 9, 1917, the son of Russell and Pearl (Everett) Warren. Mel was the owner of Mel Warren Insurance Agency and H & R Block in St. Johns, he was the oldest living member of the First Congregational Church. He was also a member of the Rotary Club, and the Masons. Surviving is his wife Pauline Vail, whom he married in Lansing, on April 3, 1937, they shared 73 years together . Also surviving are their sons, Douglas Palmer (Kathleen) Warren, Melvin Winfield (Laura) Warren Jr., Richard Everett (Sara) Warren, eleven grandchildren, Jonathon, Christine, Laura, Catherine, Lawrence, Matthew, Wesley, Jessica, Mitchell, Elizabeth and Emily, sixteen great grandchildren, two sister’s in law, Virginia Teich and Jeanne Rand, brother in law, Theodore Vail, a niece and three nephews. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Maxine Warren and brothers, Donald and Max Warren.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, September 18, 2010, at the First Congregational Church with Pastor Ken Hall officiating, with burial following at Mt. Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Osgood Funeral Home, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., on Friday, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Contributions may be made in memory of Mel to the First Congregational Church.