ORONO – Melvin “Mel” E. Everly, 83, passed peacefully from the loving arms of his wife, Margaret and into the hands of his Lord Feb. 15, 2012, at his residence. He was born Sept. 17, 1928, in Elkhart, Ind., to Robert E. and Clara P. (Kunkel) Everly Sr.
He grew up in La Porte, Ind., where he attended St. Johns Lutheran Church and School, and La Porte High School. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Air Force from 1946 to 1949. In 1948 he married his high school sweetheart, Margaret H. Galloway. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1957 and his Master of Arts degree in 1964, from Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Ind. From 1954 to 1965, he taught at Luther High School North, Chicago. In the late 1950s, he ran a summer camp for boys in Winnetka, Ill., from 1965 to 1985. Mel taught at New Trier East High School, Winnetka, Ill., as a biology and human ecology teacher, and later became chairman of the science department. He was instrumental in the development of one of the first recycling programs in the northern Chicago suburbs. Mel had a passion for nature and a love for our countries National parks. He worked as a park naturalist for Acadia National Park for nine years. He and Margaret made Somesville their permanent residence when he retired from teaching in 1985. After he “retired” Mel could be found aboard The Sea Princess in Northeast Harbor, as a narrator and naturalist specializing in the history and wildlife of Mount Desert for 29 years. He substitute taught at Mount Desert Island and Ellsworth high schools. He was a board member for Island Connections. Mel was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Glenview, Ill. He was a charter member of St. Andrew Lutheran, Ellsworth and most recently a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Bangor. In April 2010, Mel and Margaret moved to their home at Dirigo Pines, Orono. He was a model train enthusiast and enjoyed many hours building models and running it for his great-grandchildren. He was also a member of National Association of Biology Teachers; Illinois Association of Biology Teachers; Footloose Friends Hiking Club; Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging; and board member of Island Connections, Bar Harbor.
Mel is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 63 years, Margaret H. Everly; beloved children: son, James R. Everly of Trenton, and daughter, Linda M. Green and husband, Warren, of Beach Park, Ill.; his adoring grandchildren, Jessica Creel and husband, Dan, of Northbrook, Ill., Jeremy Everly of Sorrento, Nicole Everly of Dedham, Samuel and Nicholas Bova of Glenview, Ill.; his cherished great-grandchildren, Vance, Kayla, Aiden and Savannah; brother, Robert E. Everly Jr. and wife, Bea, of Elkhart, Ind.; sister, Dorothy E. Levandoski of La Porte, Ind.; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
A celebration of Mel’s life will be held 1 p.m. Feb. 25 at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Ellsworth. Donations may be made in Mel’s honor to Island Connections, 15 Eagle Lake Road, Bar Harbor, ME 04609. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert. Condolences may be expressed at
www.jordanfernald.com.