Doyle Ray Melton

Doyle Ray Melton, age 81, passed peacefully November 27 in Grand Rapids, Mich., after a battle with diabetes and vascular dementia.

Red Lobster and Payday candy bars have lost a loyal customer. Doyle also leaves behind his loving and amusing children: Jon Walker, Lori TenBrink, David Melton, Hendrik Melton, Doyle Melton, and Shawn Melton; 15 grandchildren; and a rabble of great grandchildren. He would often say, “Can you believe that I’m responsible for ALL of this?!”

Doyle was born at home, just outside of Crow’s Station, Ark., to Bertha and Garvin Melton on Dec. 25, 1935, along with his twin sister, Edna. The family of 15 later moved to Wisconsin, where Doyle milked cows and learned to despise cheese. Doyle says he graduated high school in Boscobel, Wis., but we only have basketball pictures as proof.

Doyle owned and operated multiple nursing homes, and he took pride in offering the ill and aged dignity in the later chapters of their lives. He was quick to entertain his residents, and even faster to employ his children to cook, weed flower beds, and mop floors.

Doyle loved big belt buckles, tie pins, vacuuming multiple times daily, holding babies, family vacations, camping, hunting, fishing, a good joke at your expense, steak and Pepsi, working hard, taking risks, sharing what he earned, going fast, doing donuts in icy parking lots after church, basketball, walking his dog, and watching those he loved succeed. He was a loyal friend and a creative golfer. He was thankful to God for (and surprised by) his own success. Truly generous, Doyle could not abide to see others suffer. Doyle had a sharp wit and loved re-telling old stories.

Doyle is preceded in death by his parents, several siblings, his wife of 40 years, Tanneke Terry Bonsink, and later his wife of 6 years, Charlotte Fay.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1st at the funeral home and friends and family are invited to a celebration of Doyle’s life at 1 pm. on Saturday, Dec. 2nd at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4291 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546.

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