No headline

Melvin Russel Wells ‘Rusty’

Melvin Russel Wells, “Rusty,” passed away into the arms of our savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 14, 2018, due to complications from ALS.

Born Oct. 16, 1955, in Bonners Ferry to Alice Girton Wells and Edgar E. Wells. He was raised in Bonners Ferry and was a graduate of the Bonners Ferry High School. He enjoyed being a member of the high school boxing team. After graduating he joined the Marine Corps. He returned to Bonners Ferry and married his wife Joanne in 1979. There he resided and raised his family, daughter Kim and son Chris, while working for LP mill in Moyie Springs for 17 years.

Rusty deeply enjoyed and was very passionate about the many things the region had to offer: hunting, hiking, going for drives in the mountains, fishing and camping. His hobbies included: woodworking, making bird houses and feeders for bird watching, tying flies for fishing, and reloading bullets for hunting. He loved spending his time visiting with his family and many friends, and helping anyone in need that he possibly could.

He was a volunteer firefighter for the North Bench Fire Department for many years. He changed career paths and worked construction doing drywall. He enjoyed working for DSI of Spokane, Wash., for many years. He was a born again Christian and a member of Real Life Ministries.

Preceded in death by his father Edgar E. Wells. Rusty is survived by his loving wife Joanne, son Christopher, daughter Kimberly Ulbredtch (husband Seth Ulbredtch, grandchildren Alaura and Mersadees Ulbredtch); mother Alice Wells Hanson, brother Donald Wells, sisters Wanda “Tobi” Wise, and Barbara Ann Wells, Marian and Dan Stallings, Aunt Melva Sloan, Cousins Paul, and Robert Wells, along with all their families.

Later we will have a celebration of his life for his family and many friends.