Tanner, Mel (Merlyn)

Rest in Peace Mr T, sending our condolences & love to all the family. We will hold our treasured memories of our happy times with you and your family in our hearts for the rest of our days 🙂

To our family in Australia
We love you and will treasure the times we have spent as a family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Though over the years, do to our distances, our meetings were always too brief. Nevertheless, they were filled with much fun and good times. We thought of Mel and Del often, and they have always been close in our hearts.
Our children and grand children, were struck with Mel’s likeness to Phil Collins, but typically, he reminded them that he was “older and poorer”
Sending our condolences both to you Del, and to your family. We grieve as one in this tough time, but are yet joyful for the many memories…

Merlyn, you only about 9 years old when I married your oldest brother. We had some good times playing checkers and having water fights. I will carry fond memories of you as my little brother that will bring me peace and smiles. You will be missed by all of us, but I am happy for you that you are out of your misery and pain. My love to all the family at this difficult time and let’s keep in touch. We will be tuning in to the funeral from here.

Sending our condolences, hugs and lots of love! I’m very blessed to have been able to meet and spend some time with you. Shane has always spoken very fondly of his memories and time spent with all of you. Today and always we will be keeping you in our hearts and thoughts.
Much love~ Shane, Lisa, Conner and the rest of our gang

Beautiful service and tribute to Uncle Merlin. Love you all. Thank you for including us in the broadcast.

Valarie Sasich and Family

To our Australian family we are so sorry for the loss of uncle Merlyn.
I have great memories of all of you. We want to say what a beautiful
memorial service. Uncle merl left behind a beautiful family. Love to all
of you may his memory be eternal.
Love Val, Nick, Nicholas and Chris

Dear Rodney, Marcie and Family, Thank you for your very special response to all of us, when I planned Mels Funeral it was a priority of mine to be able to have it viewed by all of you , so hence, the venue was important and Mel had been to a few Funerals there as well and liked the feeling. Your works were heartfelt and we as a Family could feel the love in it that you have expressed. When Mel went into Hospital on the 23rd October after he had a fall at home, broke his nose, collapsed Lung, Aspirational Pneumonia ,and infection in his bladder, I thought I would bring him home as I have always done and looked after him. For the week before he had a temp and I called the Doctor and they sent out antibiotics to bring his temp down but he could not get out of bed with out assistance so I would lift him up and change him and bed bath him as it was too hard for him to walk very far as Parkinson had really begun to take its toll.During his recovery is when they discovered Cancer after he would collapse when they got him up to shower or sit him in a chair . A blood test showed the lack of red blood cells and then they did the test to find out where the blood was going to, a 5 inch by 7 inch mass was found just under his lungs and resting on his stomach, it had attached itself to his Liver and Pancreas and then they found a secondary Cancer . I had gone into the Hospital the day after the test on the 11 th of November expecting to see him feeling a lot better after 2 blood transfusions and prior to the scans but the Doctors were waiting for me to arrive as they all knew what time I would get to the Hospital each day . Mel had been in the Neurology ward on and off for many years and I knew all the staff , when I walked in they all gave each other a weird look and you could drop a pin and not hear a sound. The Doctors were waiting and said Would you like to come down to a quiet room with us and we will discuss the results ? . I had give permission to the hospital to do some more test on Mel before we knew for sure what we were dealing with. A few days later we knew how bad it was and that Radiation was too damaging to his heart and throat as he was already being fed by a tube to his stomach, operation was out of the question, and chemo was not even up for discussion as the Cancer was in his Oesophagus and in vital organs, the crazy thing about it was hat Mel had never had any pain in his stomach , not now or ever. Thank heavens for that, it was a mystery to to Doctors. I believe he had enough going on in his poor body , bless his heart. As most of you know , the run around Mel had with the Veterans department in the U.S. has been disgusting and I had contacted the American Embassy in Australia and told them all I and Mel had been through to get some recognition or benefits when Mel was diagnosed with Cancer as a last ditch effort but not expecting a response as i did not hold back in telling them what I thought of the whole government and questioned weather they were all waiting for the Vietnam Veterans to die off so they would not have to be responsible for there political war. I hit send and in 5 minuets I had a response and the phone rang , The lady on the other end said , Mrs Tanner, this is the American Embassy and we are here to help, I burst into tears as I have been fighting for Mel for years as he could not fight for himself. They have offered assistance in a variety of ways but the most heart felt is that they will Honour Mel with a plaque at Arlington National Cemetery for all the service he has given his Country. The children and grandchildren will be able to visit in the future and that is amazing. about time. One day I will tell all of you more of his story but Mel did not talk about Vietnam and did not want to glorify war to his children and that is how it should be. I will send a Memorial Pamphlet to you but I do not have your Address. so please send it and I will send it also to Val and your Mum and anyone who would like a memory of Mel. I will close for now and thank you all for sending a comment about Mel and this family will treasure all the messages , All my love Adele , Mel and Family .