Melford E. “Mel” Robinson, Shelley (Kenneth Jr.) Iverson of Twig and Denise (Steven) Baublitz of Munger are in bereavement following the death of their father, Melford E. “Mel” Robinson. The Anderson Rd. resident died Sun., Apr. 29, 2007, in his home surrounded by his family. He was 84.

Mel was born Oct. 23, 1922 in Bemidji to Thomas and Maren (Olsen) Robinson. He served in Luzon and New Guinea in the Pacific Theater with the U.S. Army during WW II. After the war, Mel returned to Duluth and married Rose Campanella on May 7, 1949. He retired from Duluth Water and Gas as a superintendent. Mel was a member of St. Peter's Church, the Italian American Club, life member of VFW Post 137, a member of Duluth Combined Honor Guard and the American Legion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gerald, Tom and Roy “Red”, and his wife Rose in 1991.

Mel is also survived by his companion Caroline Gradine of Duluth, grandchildren Justin and Garrett Iverson and Stephanie and Nathan Baublitz, sister Lorraine McKeever of Fredenberg and a brother Danny Robinson of Calif.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. today, Thursday, in St. Peter's Church. Interment with military honors accorded by the Duluth Combined Honor Guard at Sunrise Memorial Park.

Dawn Alane VanValkenburg, Dawn Alane VanValkenburg died unexpectedly in her home Sat., Apr. 28, 2007. She was 54.

She was born on August 26, 1952, and graduated from Proctor High School in 1970. She was employed by Miller’s Roofing. Dawnie loved crocheting, history and reading. Her greatest love was spending time with her family.

She was preceded in death by her mother Alice, father Donald Lundquist and her beloved sister Polly Bohlin.

She is survived by her son William VanValkenburg, sister Laurie (Dick) Lindgren, brother Scott (Robin) Lundquist, nephews Jamie (Jen), Jeremy, David, Jarred, Nick, Austin, Dakota, Colton, Craig and Payton, nieces Stephanie (Doug), Rachel (Bruce), Bridget (Kourtney), Jesse (Scott), Tiffany (Ron), and Char.

A gathering of family and friends was held Wed., May 2, 2007, in Bell Brothers Funeral Home.