Melvin A. Wakkinen Sr., 86, of 714 Garvey St., Ironwood, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011, in his home, with his family by his side, following a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer.      Melvin was born Aug. 10, 1924, in Moore, Wis., son of the late Jacob and Alecandra (Jackson) Wakkinen. He attended Hurley schools and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1943. He then entered the U.S. Army, proudly serving his country during World War II in the European Theater of Operations in the 740th Field Artillery Battalion, and was honorably discharged as a private first class in 1946..      Following his discharge, he returned to the area and was employed in the Montreal Mine and at White Pine Copper Co., and also as a millworker during that time.      Melvin was a member of Ironwood American Legion Post 5 and Northland Chapter No 66, Disabled American Veterans. He loved reading and watching Detroit Tiger baseball.      Surviving are three sons, James, George (Judy), Lindale, Tx., and Melvin Jr., Ironwood; three daughters, Sandra (Dick) Niemi, Wakefield, Mary Alexander, Ironwood, and Helen (Joe) Smallwood, Mineola, Tx.; 14 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.      Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by two great-granddaughters, Brianna and Stephanie Charles; a brother, Edwin; and his former wife, Lucille Lipske.      Private graveside services and interment, with full military honors accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard, will be held in the spring in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood.      Memorials are preferred to the Ironwood Carnegie Library, 235 E. Aurora St., Ironwood, Mich. 49938      Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home Inc., Ironwood.