Melvin Stephen
Pordon
Melvin (Mel) Stephen Pordon of Lakewood passed away on May 18, 2020 at the age of 89.
Mel was born in Loretto, Michigan on March 14, 1931. He was the second child of Fortunato and Nora Pordon. He grew up in Norway, Michigan where he graduated from Norway High School. He moved to Milwaukee at the age of 19 where he met the love of his life Jean Lowery at the boarding house they both lived at. They were married in 1951 and eventually settled in Franklin, Wisconsin in a house he built himself.
Mel was always a hard worker and thru the years he worked for Tomaro Contractors, OC Equipment, Bel Aire Enterprises and E & P Services. He was a proud union member of Local 113 for 70 years.
He enjoyed gardening, ice fishing, doing puzzles and tinkering at various projects and was always ready to help friends and family with their projects too. He especially enjoyed time spent with his family.
Mel is survived by his children Dennis Pordon, Becky (Jim) Guckenberger, Marty (Peggy) Pordon and Gerald (Jackie) Pordon; his sister Rena Altobelli;his brothers-in-law Duane, Neal and Larry Lowery and sisters-in-law Lorraine, Genevieve and Mary Lowery, and Pat Pardon. Grandchildren Ryan Guckenberger, Scott Guckenberger, Stacy (Tim Viste) Pordon ,Kevin Pordon, Nick (girlfriend Kaylee Schull) Pordon, Mitch Pordon, Martin (Cebryna) Pordon, Joshua Pordon, Joseph (fiancé Joelle) Pordon , Andrew (Kelly) Pordon , Kelly (Jameson) Pelkey . Great-grandchildren, Jacob, Lincoln, Leo, Vivian, Brandon, Garrett, Ashton, Joseph Jr and Ryann. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Lois Jean (Lowery) Pordon, parents Fortunato and Nora Pordon, daughter-in-law Jean Pordon, brothers Richard and Ernest Pardon;brothers-in-law Richard, Thomas, and Gerald Lowery, John Altobelli; sisters-in-law Doris Schwab, Rosemary Lowery, Margaret Lowery, and Betty Pardon.
Memorial in the future
Jackie & Jerry, we are so sorry for your loss. We pray that happy memories will surround you and all family members during this difficult time. With sincere wishes for peace and comfort,
Jim & Karen
Melanie &Josh
They just don’t build them like him anymore. I have nothing but admiration for him. He taught me a lot.
Mary and I offer our deepest condolences to your family upon the passing of your father and grandfather Mel. I have great respect for Mel for many reasons. I remember he went the extra mile to take care of my mom and dad, which meant a lot to me. I remember in my conversations with him he was very proud of his family, his face would light up as he shared about his children and grandchildren. Mel wore many hats, one of them being a great sportsman. I have fond memories of the November pilgrimages to the north woods on opening day of hunting season. Mel was an important part of the Lowery clan, in our quest to fill the fridge with fresh meat. I have a photo of him my mom sent me, after he pulled a huge Northern Pike out of a little hole in the ice, and somehow when everyone else found a few pints of blackberries, Mel would come home with quarts, he had his special honey hole somewhere. These are some of the memories I have of Mel Pordon. I am sure everyone has their own fond memories of Mel, this is how we honor our loved ones by remembering special things, important things, that left an imprint on our lives. Our prayers are with you and your family during your season of sadness.
Larry & Mary Lowery
Uncle Mel was so dear to me&he helped me so much when I was struggling and needed a car to get to work,Uncle Mel was also fond of my children and always gave them treats on holiday’s.,He was one to offer me good advice and showed he cared.I can remember him playing with me when I was a child,taking me to his garden,I would help him pick vegetables,or showing me how to crack walnuts. He was always trying to be funny,sometimes he was the only one laughing.I could go on&on,bottom line is he was a great Uncle,Friend&all around a wonderful man,he will be truly missed.My condolences to Jim&Becky,Jerry&Jackie,Marty&Peggy,,Dennis&Grandchildren.Always forever missed
Being not that computer savvy I guess my first message got lost in a cloud somewhere. My forever friend and brother-in-law Mel has always been there for me. When he and my sister Jean married I was 10 years old, so he’s been in my life for 68 years. Today in the mail I got an issue of “Our Wisconsin” magazine gifted to me by Mel Pordon. Thanks Mel. When I moved to Rhinelander he laid flooring in my bedroom and built a new door for the house. Also wired my shed, cut down a few trees, put up a gazebo and put together my grill. There was nothing that man couldn’t do. Always picked me strawberries, blackberries, and brought me a tomato plant in a bucket. I feel saddened and diminished by his demise. A true blessing to me and my family.
Much loved. He leaves me with a great niece and great nephews he can be proud of. My heat goes out to all of you. Til we meet again Mel.
Uncle Mel. Truly one of the good guys. I have such fond memories of Uncle Mel and Aunt Jean. He always had a smile and a story. I will be forever grateful for his strong friendship and caring for my dad (Dick Lowery). It was always heartwarming to observe a genuine friendship in action. My condolences to Dennis, Becky, Marty and Jerry and families.
Kerry (Lowery) Rocole
Uncle Mel will be missed. He always had help or advice for those in need. Our family was especially grateful to him for all the sacrifices he made helping my mom during my father’s long illness. The mold was broke when they made him and he probably was “called” because he was close to fixing it. RIP