Melvin W. Bloom, 80

Melvin (Mel) W. Bloom, 80, passed away at Kalispell Regional Medical Center on November 15, 2020. He was born in Bozeman, Montana to Claude and Lottie (Murray) Bloom. The family moved to Libby when Mel was seven years old. With the exception of a couple of years, he lived in Libby until his passing.

Mel had a love of cars and spent all of his spare time (and then some) working on them and encouraging his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids to have a keen appreciation of everything Mopar. When his grandson was only 14 he decided he wanted to race stockcars and asked Grampa to build one for him, and the grandson raced in Kalispell, Post Falls, Yakima and Las Vegas. Mel helped him win many races and a championship at one time. The grandson races cars to this day, always saying that Grampa is in that car with him. Mel and Nancy also traveled the state helping their great-grandson race motocross, culminating in a state championship. Many hours were spent in the grandstands watching a granddaughter play softball and volleyball and later going to many softball and volleyball games of the great-granddaughter. His grandkids and great-grandkids were the light of his life.

Mel also had a love of firearms. He was a graduate gunsmith and helped many local sportsmen keep their firearms in tip top condition, and taught his grandkids and great-grandkids firearm safety. He was a life member of the NRA; a life member of the North American Hunting Club and a life member of the American Gunsmithing Association.

Mel began his working life at Lloyds Tuneup before moving to Lewistown where their son Gerry was born. They returned to Libby where daughter Glenda was born.

Mel worked at Cabinet View Motors for several years and then spent a couple of years in East Helena working construction for Davey Power Gas. He returned to Libby and worked at Valley Motor/CARQUEST for 23 years before retiring. The family made their home in Libby until Mel's passing.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Riley Bloom; his sister Lorraine Barkhoff and her significant other Gene Hutchinson of Hobson, MT; son Gerry of Kalispell, daughter Glenda (Tom) Havens also of Kalispell; grandchildren Kristy Harbaugh of Jordan, MT; Zach Havens of Kalispell and Courtney Havens (Adam) Anderson of Libby and eight great-grandchildren, Riley Havens, Kalispell; Payton, Aspen and Kimber Anderson of Libby; and Piper, Simon, Eliza and Willa Harbaugh of Jordan, MT.

Services will be held on Friday, June 25th at 11:00 a.m. at the Libby Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will follow at the family home.