Milton (Mel) Raymond Studer went to be with our Lord surrounded by his family at his home in Napavine on Nov. 11, 2021. He was born in Vancouver, Washington, in the summer of 1941 to Alfred and Edith (Babe) Studer. He attended school in Winlock where he met his high school sweetheart, Sharon Thomas. They were married for 57 years. They remained in Winlock until 1991 then settled in the town of Napavine. After graduating from high school, Mel worked at the Winlock Hatchery, then as a spare hand at Longview Fibre for six years, and also worked for Napavine Veneer Mill until it closed down.
Starting in 1965, he worked for Weyerhaeuser setting chokers for a year, then as a timber cutter and faller for 21 years. During that time, he saw the Fawn Lake Fire and the Mount St Helens eruption in May of 1980. He and many others were fortunately off for the day. He then worked at various places including Zepp, Bill Foster and Pete Rushton. Mel retired in 2007 but then returned to work for Bill Foster, Brian Talbot, B&M, Knoll Brothers, Doug Coleman and lastly Northfork for six years before finally retiring.
He is preceded in death by his father Alred, mother Babe, wife Sharon and oldest son Brent. He is survived by his brothers and sisters Gary and Sharon Studer, Randy and Judy Studer, Sherri (Ken) Condon, Sheila Studer (Ed Sedlak), and Jason and Susi Studer; his children Rita (Dennis) Anderson, Von (Posey) Studer, Bridgitte (Howard) Nizon, Andra (Ron) Guenther and Carmen (Branden) Willson; and 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A memorial service was officiated by Pastor Jimmy Smith at Napavine Assembly of God Church on Friday Nov. 19, 2021.
