Melvin Kotula, 80, of Clarissa, passed away on June 12, 2008, at his residence.  Funeral services for Mel were held on Monday, June 16, 2008 at 11 a.m., at Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville with Fr. David Maciej officiating.   Interment was held at Christ the King Catholic Cemetery. 

Mel was born on February 18, 1928, in Browerville to Joseph & Frances (Buhl) Kotula.  He completed 12 years of school in Browerville, and joined the Army for 18 months.  Mel attended school for woodworking, welding, barbering, dancing and cooking.  He was employed at Northwest Automatic as a machinist until his early retirement in September 1982.    Mel was married to Jeanne Benoit on August 20, 1949.  They had two sons Michael and Steven.  Jeanne died on January 31, 1983.   On August 11, 1983, Mel married Irene Perish and gained four more children; Lynn, Val, Lydell and Lorne.  Mel and Irene have enjoyed spending many winters in Mazatlan Mexico and summers at their home on Horseshoe Lake.  They moved to Heritage Apartments in Clarissa in 2005.   Mel was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church in Browerville.  

Mel is survived by his wife Irene of Clarissa, children Michael Kotula, Steven (Sherry) Kotula, Lynn Perish, Val (Vern) Petersen, Lydell (Denise) Perish and Lorne (Vicki) Perish, siblings:  Louise, Frances, MaryAnn and Dorothy, 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. 

Mel is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Jeanne, brothers:  Jerry, Ivan (Ike) Walt, Jim, sisters:  Irene and Lorrayne.