Obituary of Melvin F. Quist

Melvin F. Quist, 82, of Quist Hollow Road, died Tuesday evening at the St. Mary?s Hospital in Amsterdam. Born in Amsterdam, New York on September 9, 1923, he was the son of the late Harry B. and Mary Holliday Quist, Sr. He was a graduate of the Wilbur H. Lynch High School and attended the Quaddy Technical School in Maine. Mel was a US Army Air Force Veteran of WWII where he served as a Staff Sergeant in North Apennines, France, Po Valley, Rhineland, Rome-Arne, battles and campaigns with the 827th Squadron of the 484th Heavy Bomber Group. He was first employed as a machinist for Mohawk Carpet Mills from 1945 to 1953. Mel later joined the family business in 1953, Quist Lumber Company and served as the president of the company from 1978 until his retirement in 1986. He was a member of the Amsterdam United Methodist Church and served as Trustee, the VFW Post #55 of Amsterdam, and the Boy Scouts of America for 45 years, serving on the Executive Board and as Chairman of the Camping Committee and the Scouts of San Souci. Mel loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, he also enjoyed working with the boys in scouting and teaching them woodworking. He was first married on May 15, 1948 to Audrey E. Ingham who died September 29, 1983. Then, on October 12, 1984, he married the former Elaine Schuchardt. Besides his wife, Mel is survived by three step-daughters, Gail Kingsbury and her husband Gary of Bullhead City, Arizona, Kathleen Watrobski and her husband Kenneth of Shingle Springs, California and Janice Sheckton and her husband David of Galway, New York; five step-grandchildren, Jason Hicks and Allison Lonczak, Alex and Leanne Sheckton and Andrew Watrobski and two step-great-granddaughters, Ashley Lonczak and Sarah Hicks; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Mel was predeceased by two brothers, Harry Quist and Frederick Quist. A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 11, 2006, at 12 noon at the Amsterdam United Methodist Church, Golf Course Road, Amsterdam, New York with the Rev. Brian Gould officiating. Interment will take place in spring in Fairview Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends one hour prior to the service from 11 am to 12 noon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mel?s memory to the Amsterdam United Methodist Church, Golf Course Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, New York.