Melvin Wick

Longtime Valley resident Melvin Wick, 76, died Dec. 11, 2011, at Providence Medical Center due to complications of prostate cancer.

A memorial service in honor of Mel is at 1 p.m., Dec. 16 at Wasilla Bible Church, 1651 W. Nicola Ave.

Mel was born March 28, 1935, in Palisade, Colo. In 1956, he graduated from Bryan University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical studies and added an aviation maintenance degree from LeTourneau Technical Institute in 1959.

Mel and his family moved to Anchorage in 1960, where he was employed by Safeway Air, Spernak Airways and Alaska Airlines and managed Wilbur’s Flight Operations. In 1973, the family moved to Palmer, where he opened Wick Air Inc. located at Four Corners. Last March, Mel was awarded the Charles Taylor Master Mechanics Award to honor his 50 years of diligent service to the Alaska aircraft industry.

Mel was a generous and loving husband and father. He was known for his integrity and strong work ethic. Over the years, he served on numerous church elder boards, missions committees and taught many adult and youth Sunday school classes. He attended Wasilla Bible Church.

His family wrote: “Dad will be remembered for his laughter and practical jokes, as well as his devotion to his faith, family and work.”

Mel is survived by his wife of 59 years, Evelyn Wick; sister, Marlene Haase and brother-in-law Carl of Colorado; son, Lonnie Wick and daughter-in-law Barbara of Irvine, Calif.; son, Stanley Wick and daughter-in-law Laura of Palmer; son, Scott Wick and daughter-in-law Marianne of Palmer; grandchildren, Chris Wick, Kevin Wick, Kara Rehrer, Kristila Gardner, Karissa Rollman, Morgan Wick, Mason Wick and Maria Wangberg; and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family was cared for by Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory of Wasilla.