Melvin Leroy Lyons

Melvin “Mel” Leroy Lyons, 75, of Dowagiac, passed away on Sunday, March 20, 2016 at his home in Dowagiac, MI surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Clark Chapel & Cremation Services, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, MI with Pastor Stacey Wilder officiating. Burial will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.  Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, March 23, 2016 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Dowagiac Conservation Club or Dowagiac VFW Post #1855. Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Mel online may do so at www.clarkch.com.  Mel was born at home on February 20, 1941 in Pokagon Township to Glenn Orval and Mervienne (Sherwood) Lyons. Mel graduated in 1959 from Cassopolis High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He augmented his military training along the way by attending Southwestern Michigan College. Mel married the former Norma Bryan in 1961. They celebrated 35 years of marriage before her passing in 1996.  On July 25, 1998 he married Nancy Burge in Dowagiac. Mel served the community of Dowagiac for 35 years in the Department of Public Services as a loyal and dedicated employee. He was Director of Public Services for many years. Mel had been a long time electrical line foreman before becoming the DPS director. He was a member of the Dowagiac Conservation club, the Dowagiac VFW Post #1855, Dowagiac Moose Lodge #933, the Wayne Township Zoning Board and the Cass County Board of Public Works. He enjoyed the outdoors, which always made his job enjoyable. He spent his spare time trap shooting, hunting and fishing and especially loved mushroom hunting. Mel was also a charter fishing boat captain on Lake Michigan and was an avid Michigan Wolverine sports fan. Mel is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Nancy, and by his children, Pamela (Dick) Sager of Pahrump, Nevada and Bryan Lyons of Dowagiac.  Also surviving are his siblings, Marvin (Cheryl) Lyons of Lewisville, Texas, Gloria (Daryl) Otwell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Linda (Don) Symonds of Dowagiac and Cindy (Lee) Ferrier of Greenville, South Carolina. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Norma and his parents, Glenn and Mervienne Lyons.