He was my beloved Grandpa with the silent laugh and twinkling blue eyes. The son of Jonathan William Melhorn (1852-1931) and Lydia Elmira Eckenrode Melhorn (1862-1916). He came to California from Pennsylvania, with his wife, Emma Jane (Wyland) and his 6 surviving children, in 1933. He was a skilled carpenter by trade and built many houses in PA & CA He also helped build Terminal Island Navy Base. He was a wise man, who's family depended on him if there was an illness or a problem. He was a mathmatical genius who had a wonderful sense of humor. He was also a very shy and modest man but, more importantly he was a devout Catholic, a loving and devoted Son, Brother, Husband, Father, Grandfather, great-grandfather & friend. He was preceded in death by his one true love, his wife Emma (1883-1946), a son Ralph Jonathan(1909-1925)and a great grandson, Mark David Donaldson (1957-1959) He is survived by 6 children, Olive, Marie, Hal, Robert, Roena and Kenneth. Grandchildren Betty, Peter, Marie AKA Penny, LaVerne, Nancy, Max & Diane. Great-grandchildren, Joseph, Ralph, Peter, Lynn & Brooke. He was my Grandpa & my Hero...I was his shadow. He would go for walks and I'd always ask "Where ya goin' Grandpa?" His response was always "Punxatawney, want to come along?" Of course I did. I didn't know Punxatawney was a real place until I was a woman. He'd take my little hand in his big one and I'd skipped along beside him. He taught me how to drive a nail and make change, before I was 6. When he died of a horribly painful heart attack, his poor body was already ravaged by cancer, so it was really a blessing...he didn't have to suffer any longer...he was at peace, but then my pain began. I adored him and I miss him still.