Melvin J. Bach

Melvin John Bach, 90, of Bay City, died Thursday, July 16, 2009 at the Ellsworth Care Center. He was born July 10, 1919 in Isabelle Township, Wisconsin to John and Julia (Bolin) Bach. He attended schools in Hartland Township and enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in February of 1941, serving until he was honorably discharged in 1945. He married Irene James on May 18, 1946 in Hastings, Minnesota. They lived in Red Wing and Mazeppa before moving to Bay City in 1948. He farmed in Mazeppa for a few years and then worked at Durkee Atwood before starting his 36 year employment with SB Foot Tanning Company, where he retired from in 1984. Irene died April 26, 1995. He was a member of the Bay City American Legion Harding Hall Darrington #357 and attended New Life Pentecostal Church of Red Wing.

He is survived by 4 sons, Ronald (Eileen) of Red Wing, Robert (Beverly) of Bay City, Melvin Jr.(Jeanie) of Bay City and Charles of Ellsworth; 6 daughters, Catherine (Roger) Thomas and Marlene (Bruce) Hanson both of Frontenac, Rita (Jim) McCarthy of Hastings, Mary Jo (Gabe) Andrus of Stockholm, Margaret Bach of Plum City and Tammy Hoyer of Hager City; 23 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Loren of Red Wing and Leo Bach of Turtle Lake and 1 sister, Lorraine Nelson of Red Wing.

He was preceded in death by his wife; 2 sons, William and Terry "Toby" Bach; grandson, James Jennings; great-granddaughter, Ashley Simmons; brother, Raymond Bach, and a sister, Grace Larson.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Monday, July 20, at Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel with Reverend Michael Hanson officiating. Burial with military honors provided by Bay City American Legion Harding Hall Darrington #357 will be at Bay City Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service.