Melvin Carl Wamhoff, Jr., 66, died Tuesday, Nov. 10 at Oak Valley Hospital after a lengthy illness.

He was born in Winona, Minnesota and moved to California in 1952. He lived in Oakdale for two years.

He graduated from Bolsa Grande High School in Santa Ana in 1963. He married Karen ‘Kay’ Kraemer in 1964 and raised two children.

He was a contractor and cement mason. He worked in construction all of his life.

He was a member of the Cement Mason’s Union #52 and St. John’s Lutheran Church.

He was a family man and enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He will be loved and remembered forever.

Survivors include his wife, Kay Wamhoff of Oakdale; daughter, Sherri (Ray) Peckham of Twentynine Palms; son, Jason (Krista) Wamhoff of Cottage Grove, OR; sisters, Carole (Richard) Gordon of Clearlake; Sandra Harrison of Oakdale, Lee (Rod) Ertel of Chino Hills; brother, Marvin (Gloria) Wamhoff of Oakdale; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dennis and Sharon Katz of New City, NY; grandchildren, Heather Verdone of Glendale, AZ, Michael Mandarino of Twentynine Palms, Amanda Watkins and Hayden Wamhoff, both of Cottage Grove, OR; great-grandson Rylan Springer of Cottage Grove, OR; 13 nephews and grandnephews; and 11 nieces and grandnieces.

He was preceded in death by his son, Micky Lee; father, Melvin, Sr; and mother, Dorothy.

A memorial service was held Nov. 14 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Valley Home. Interment will be private.

Oakdale-Riverbank Memorial Chapels in charge of arrangements.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Nov. 18, 2009