Melvin Marvin Coonen, 82, Pulaski, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 15, 2024 at his home. He was born March 11, 1942, in Green Bay to Melvin and Isabel (Kimps) Coonen.

Melvin graduated from Premontre High School, Class of 1960. The oldest of 14 children, he started working at the family gas station at a young age and learned the value of hard work. He joined the U.S. Army and served from 1960-1963. Melvin married Joanne Wilinski on June 11, 1966 at St. John the Baptist Church. He was employed as a machinist at Fort Howard Paper Co/Georgia Pacific for over 38 years until his retirement in 2004. While working full time and raising a family, Melvin attended college at UW – Green Bay, obtaining his bachelor's in business. He continued at UW – Oshkosh earning his master's in business.

Not only did Melvin work hard at home, work, and school, he was a member and previous Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus Council 6279 and also a Fourth Degree of St. Jude Assembly 1724. He belonged to St. John the Baptist Church serving as a lector and Communion distributor. Melvin volunteered with the Howard Suamico Rescue Squad as an EMT. He was a good bowler and participated in several leagues and tournaments through work and with his wife, Joanne. Mel loved his vacations to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Las Vegas and spent several winters in Arizona. During the summers, he enjoyed going up north with friends and family and taking rides on the pontoon boat. Melvin enjoyed meeting with his breakfast club friends every Thursday morning to reminisce about the good old days. He also enjoyed working outside and spending time tinkering in his work shed.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne; children, Dawn (Dean) Weyenberg, Scott Coonen, Holly (Scott) Hera; grandchildren, Brooke (Will) Fowler, Brittani (Cody) Gorges, Joshua Coonen, Carissa Coonen, Katlyn  Hera, Allison Hera; great-grandsons, William and Braxton Fowler; siblings, Mike (Jeanne) Coonen, Karen (Jim) Wiltzius, Sharon Zisa, Rosie (Bill) Nell, Emery Coonen, Suzanne Baker, Debbie Coonen, Marilyn (Garry) Glime; sisters-in-law, Debbie Balza (Jessie Suarez del Real) and LuAnn Coonen; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Melvin was preceded in death by his brothers, Gary Pat Coonen, Tom Coonen, Ronnie Coonen, Eugene Coonen; sister, Jeanette Coonen; brothers-in-law, Pete Zisa and Jim Baker.

Visitation will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 2597 Glendale Ave., (The entrance is directly across from BP gas station on Glendale Ave.), from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 21. The Memorial Mass will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the church with Rev. William Switchtenberg officiating. To send online condolences, please go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.

In life I loved you dearly. In death, I still love you. In my heart, you hold a place that no one can ever fill. It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn't go alone...part of me went with you, the day God took you home. Love, Joanne