Melvin Schwartz

Glendive, Montana: On the sixth day of April, as the stars twinkled over the midnight sky Melvin Schwartz, age 88, took the hand of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at the Eastern Montana Veteran's Home in Glendive. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Friday, April 8, 2011 at the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. A Prayer service will be held at 7:00 P.M. on Friday, April 8, 2011 at the Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the Bethlehem Mennonite Church in Bloomfield, Montana with Darrell Nefzger officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Bethlehem Mennonite cemetery in Bloomfield. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements. Melvin was born to Jonathan and Frances (Graber) Schwartz May 5, 1922 on the family farm near Bloomfield, the youngest of three children. He attended rural elementary schools and later graduated in the class of 1939, from Richey High School. He was given the gift of music appreciation, a gift that enriched his life and the lives of those around him. Melvin attended Billings Normal School and briefly taught in Jordan before being inducted into the United States Army in October of 1942, serving as a noncombatant chaplain's assistant, armed only with his 35 mm Argus camera, capturing spectacular images of the beauty of Austria to the unthinkable of Dauchau. He cherished the high privilege of participating in a communion service for imprisoned clergy from Holland, Belgium, Norway, Poland, Czechoslovakia, France, and Germany during the liberation of Dachau Prison Camp in May of 1945. After his return to the states he began teaching in Lambert where he met a beautiful young teacher, Thelma, who became his loving wife on July 2,1947. Following their marriage they moved to the family farm where Melvin worked alongside his father for some years, also teaching at Fairview Country School. He and Thelma were blessed with three children. They later moved to Richey, where Melvin enjoyed many years with his students and colleagues, retiring in 1983. He cherished his church family at Bethlehem Mennonite and especially enjoyed the projects of encouragement with Mennonite Disaster Service and later the Senior Retired Volunteer program. Melvin loved the Lord and lived a life of contentment and quiet service to others. These special qualities shown brightly in the way he lovingly encouraged and guided his children. He was a devoted husband and provider throughout nearly 64 years of marriage, remaining faithful as their declining health brought them to Eastern Montana Veteran's Home. We are humbly blessed with the love and care shown to Melvin by the staff, which made his last two years one of continued contentment. 2 Corinthians 12:9 "...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Preceding him in death were his parents; brother, Alfred; sister, Leone; and infant brother, Delbert Max. Survivors include his loving wife, Thelma; a son, James(Becky) Schwartz of Sidney; daughter, Jan(Vern) Brost of Billings; and daughter, Nadine(Neil) Hoff of Glendive. Grandchildren, TJ Schwartz, Justin(Margaret) Schwartz, Ryan(Kayla) Schwartz, Tracey(Steve) Neary, Jeff(Tonya) Brost, David(Kylie) Brost and Kyle Hoff. Also foster granddaughter, Suzannah Willems and son James; 13 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.silvernalesilhafuneralhome.com

Melvin Schwartz

May 5, 1922 - April 9, 2011

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

Melvin Schwartz

May 5, 1922 - April 9, 2011

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support