Andrew "Andy" Mellema ended a blessed and full life surrounded by his family Thursday afternoon, April 10, 2008. He will be remembered as a caring father, grandfather and friend to all who knew him along his 103 years of life.
Andy was born to Dirk and Elizabeth Mellema in Janum, The Netherlands on February 5, 1905 and immigrated to America in 1930. He returned to Holland in 1934 to marry Gertrude Kooi and they settled in Southern California where six of their eight children were born. Andy worked in the California dairy community as a butcher and milker. He and Gertrude moved to Whatcom County in 1949 and began dairy farming near Deming; and in 1951 moved to Sumas and then to Lynden in 1960. The youngest two children were born in Whatcom County. Today his family includes 8 children; 32 grandchildren; 59 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. Gertrude, his wife of 69 years, died in 2003.
Andy will long be remembered for his sense of humor and his talent for injecting joy into all occasions. He delighted in conversation where others were left to wonder where the line between truth and fiction might lie. His delight in prompting smiles and his love for adventure were never-ending. All our memories of Andy will include "lots of laughs."
His delight was rooted in his Christian faith and he never failed to express his thanks for a blessed life. He was a member and served on the church council of First Christian Reformed Church in Lynden and of the Sumas Christian Reformed Church.
He is survived by his children: Shirley (Fred) Bierlink; Betty Schweigert; Joyce (Doc) Zylstra; Dick (Esther) Mellema; Tony (Cindy) Mellema; Ted Mellema; Andrew Jr. (Barb) Mellema and Barbie (Bob) Iaconetti; sister-in-law, Rena Mellema of Chino, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by his wife, Gertrude, son-in-law Rich Schweigert; daughter-in-law, Clarice Mellema; granddaughter, Trisha Ann Zylstra and great-grandchildren, Erica Kay Mellema and Fletcher Paul Zylstra.
Andy's family wishes to express their deep appreciation and thanks for the loving care given their "Pop" by the staff at Meadow Greens.
Family and friends are invited to visit together at Gillies Funeral Home, 202 Front St. in Lynden on Sunday, April 13, 4 to 8 pm. Graveside services will be held Monday, April 14, 2:15 pm at Monumenta Cemetery followed by a 3:00 pm memorial service at First Christian Reformed Church, 1010 Front St., in Lynden. You may share your memories and condolences in the online guest book at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com. Memorials in Andy's name may be made to Lynden Christian Schools, 417 Lyncs Dr., Lynden, WA 98264 or The Back To God Hour, 6555 W. College Dr., Palos Heights, IL 60463.
