Melvin Otto Wiedrich passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024 in Oregon City, Oregon at the age of 83.

If Michael McDonald was right when he said, "I think that's the one thing we all hope for in this life is we leave something of a legacy, that's meaningful to someone else, when we leave here," then Mel Wiedrich can rest easy. Throughout his life, from North Dakota to Alaska, from the deserts of California and Arizona, to the decidedly more damp climate of Beavercreek, Oregon, the most constant of all of Mel's rock-solid attachments to this world was his family. If he was pouring a slab of concrete, he had a brother and a son working with him in the hot sun. If he was building a business, he had a daughter working his books and getting his employees paid on time. Through it all, he had a loving wife at his side, doing her part for the success of the family. Family, to Mel, wasn't just confined to the folks with whom he shared blood; Mel treated his friends, employees, and anyone lucky enough to spend more than a few passing minutes with him as though they were family, too – due all the benefits of Mel's loyalty, willingness to give you the shirt off his back, and his willingness to tell you his opinion on dang near everything. His friendships, like his life, spanned multiple states and several decades; neither distance nor time was enough to affect how Mel made everyone feel like they had a warm meal and a safe place to be waiting for them at his house should they show up. Mel was generous, kind, and lived his life with integrity. He loved his family and friends and showed it in myriad different ways. He was at times gruff and didn't suffer fools lightly, but he was never cruel or malicious to anybody. Mel Wiedrich's legacy – his family (blood and chosen), his generous spirit, and his strength of conviction – is and will continue to be meaningful to everyone who had the great fortune of being a member of his family.

Melvin is survived by his wife Yvonne Wiedrich, children Darren Wiedrich, Kim Davis, & Nora Loun, daughter-in-law Kim Wiedrich, son-in-law Tim Loun, grandchildren Cody Davis, Destiny Dunrud Davis, Noah & Jake Wiedrich, Samantha Loun, Kayleigh Davis, & Brooklyn Loun, and siblings Raymond Wiedrich, Violet Hyman, and Gary Wiedrich.

Melvin is preceded in death by his parents John & Susanna Wiedrich, siblings Alvin Wiedrich, Elsie Herman, Ivan Wiedrich, Leona Castro, Gertie Wallender, Ben Wiedrich, Ardella Malone, Delma Wendlandt, and son-in-law Craig Davis.