Melvin Oliver Allison

Melvin Oliver Allison, 91, earned his wings Sunday, October 1, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. Mel was born October 16, 1931, in Johnstown. Pennsylvania. Melvin was raised by his mother Anna (Annanias) Allison.

Melvin met his future wife Donna Hynicka very early in life at vacation bible school. Mel began courting Donna with a Christmas gift of stationery in the 8th grade and Donna regularly played the piano to impress Mel when he came by the house to deliver the newspaper. They started dating in the 10th grade and married Valentine's Day in 1954.

Mel was a mischievous youth. He broke into a mattress factory to have a jumping-good time. He stole a BB gun and shot himself in the finger to see if it would hurt. He rode a steam roller then absconded when he couldn't turn it off. Thankfully, upon his brother's instruction, Mel went to the University of Pittsburgh and became a Chemical Engineer.

Mel made things fun. One Christmas he put his daughters' gifts inside his shoes and wrapped them so they couldn't guess what their presents were. If Donna baked a cake in a rectangular pan and left it unattended, Mel would take a precisely-cut circular piece of cake from the middle of the pan.

Mel enjoyed traveling, especially to Houston where he and Donna loved watching their grandsons Blake and Brett play baseball. He often listened to live music and could be found most Friday nights with friends at the Waterbury in Lakewood, Ohio. Mel was passionate about playing 13, his favorite card game. If you knew Mel, most likely, you know how to play 13 and you lost to Mel.

Donna died before Mel in 2012. Mel is survived by daughters Marjorie Allison, Ann Allison, and Amy Allison; Ann's sons and Mel's grandsons, Blake (Andrelyn) Stoehr and Brett Stoehr and great-granddaughter, Drew Adair Stoehr (Blake's daughter).

No service is planned. Please share your memories of Mel here or email them to Marjorie at whygigi@aol.com, Ann Allison at Ann_A_Allison10@yahoo.com and Amy Allison at amy_l_allison@yahoo.com.