Melvin W. Luoma, 95, of Ironwood, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, at the Howard Young Hospital in Woodruff, Wisconsin.

Melvin was born on October 3, 1929, in Davis Location, Bessemer, Michigan to John and Jennie (Kivi) Luoma. He attended the Puritan School in Bessemer, Erwin Central School, and was a 1947 graduate of L.L. Wright High School.

Melvin was employed in Chicago before being drafted into the Army in 1951 where he served with the 25th Infantry Division in Korea. He was united in marriage with Helen E. Hautanen at Zion Ev. Lutheran Church in Ironwood on November 28, 1951. She preceded him in death in 2009. On July 24, 2010, Melvin was united in marriage with Dolores "Dolly" Mattson Carlson in Ironwood.

Melvin worked for Kilponen Hardware in Ironwood and Giovannoni True Value Hardware in Hurley where he retired at the age of 85. He enjoyed feeding his deer, which he could feed by hand in Erwin Township. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and served as the treasurer for 40 years. He also served on the Erwin Township School Board and was the Erwin Community Club president for 20 years.

He is survived by his wife Dolly; son Mark (Ginny) Luoma of Park Falls, WI; daughters Suzanne (Gregg) Raisanen of Alexandria, MN; and Colleen (Kevin) Corcoran of Ishpeming, MI; stepsons Gary (Ginny) Carlson; Randy (Mary) Carlson; and stepdaughter Sharon (Tom) Ravelli. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: Amy (Rocky) Vandermoon, John (Tashanna) Luoma, Amber (Quincy) Backen, Jennie (Eric) Christians, Abby (Scott) Blodgett, Kurt (Andria) Corcoran, Sean (Dani) Corcoran, and step-grandchildren: A.J., Steven, Elizabeth, and Chris and 12 great-grandchildren: Kai, Kale, Ellie, Katie, Will, Braxton, Bailey, Ellis, Rowan, Matthew, Grace, and Kaylee. He is further survived by his sister-in-law Kathy Luoma and other relatives and friends.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Helen, brothers Clifford, Donald, Marvin, Richard (Dick), sister Mavis Wennersten, and his grandson Matthew Luoma.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. on November 2 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Ironwood. The funeral service will follow at the church at 11 a.m. Military honors will take place during the service. Honorary pallbearers will be Melvin's grandchildren Kurt, Sean, Amber, Jennie, Abby, Amy, and John. The burial will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in Ironwood at a later date.

Memorials may be directed to the Trinity Lutheran Church or the Erwin Township Historical Society in Ironwood.