John Melvin Staheli, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2024, in Santaquin, Utah. In his final hours, he was able to say goodbye to many of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Mel was born on January 16, 1929, in Enterprise, Utah, to William C. and Edessie Iva Hunt Staheli. He grew up spending time on the family farm where he and his siblings helped their parents complete farming chores.
As a young boy, he drove teams of horses and rode old Brownie while herding cows in the northern hills of Enterprise. Raising hay crops, growing potatoes, and milking cows provided him with many great opportunities to work side-by-side with his brothers, sister, and dad to learn the value of hard work.
At the age of fourteen, Mel moved from Enterprise to a thirty-acre farm on the bench in southeast Provo, where he attended Provo High School. While there, he played on the football team throughout his junior and senior years. After graduating from high school, he went on to play football at BYU during his freshman year.
Mel served in the New England states as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Missionaries would serve in the country without purse or scrip from May to October. He was responsible for finding their own sleeping arrangements. At night, the missionaries stayed with individuals who invited them to sleep in their homes. At times, they had no choice but to take up shelter in the woods, in a barn, and—even on one occasion—in the dorms at the University of Connecticut. Dad loved to share his mission experiences with family and friends.
Mel returned from his mission and reunited with the love of his life, Elaine Dunn. They were married in the Logan Temple on June 1, 1951. They welcomed eight children, thirty-nine grandchildren, and numerous great- grandchildren into their family. He was a strong and loving father who devoted his life to providing for all of his family’s needs.
Mel continued to serve the Lord in many capacities throughout his life and loved to share the gospel with family and friends. Mel and Elaine spent countless hours together on their patio bench swing, watching their horses and admiring their scenic view of the beautiful mountains.
Great pride was taken in growing his garden each year, which provided a bounty of produce (most notably his incredible sweet corn) to share with his family and friends. Memorable times were spent pruning, planting, and irrigating together with Dad as he worked diligently to maintain his garden.
Mel will be greatly missed by all who knew him. While we celebrate his life and accomplishments on Earth, we know that he is now rejoicing on the other side with his eternal sweetheart and those family members who have passed before him.
Mel is survived by his children: John (Karen), Dave (Marlene), Kent (Ronda), Diane Freestone (Kevin), and Kevin (Kendra). He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine, and by his daughters, Caralyn Shaw, Linda Hone, and Susan Staheli, and granddaughter, Megan Fellow.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Latter-day Saints chapel on 1460 East 900 South, in Springville, Utah. The viewing will be held on Monday, April 1, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Spring Creek Utah County Mortuary at 737 North Main Street, in Springville, Utah, as well as Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the church listed above from 9:30 to 10:30 AM before the funeral service begins. Burial will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville.
A link for livestream will be available on Tuesday for the funeral service.
Condolences can be offered at www.springcreekmortuary.com.
