Walter Dr. Mellgren

Dr. Walter J. Mellgren Sr., age 97, of West, passed away early Thursday afternoon, December 4, 2014 at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m. Monday at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with visitation to follow until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 9, 2014 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Msgr. Mark Deering and Rev. Paul Hudson as celebrants, assisted by Dr. John Crowder and Rev. Terry McElrath. Military Graveside Rites will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, conducted by the West Veterans Honor Guard. Walter was born October 6, 1917 in Tombstone, AZ, the son of Lt. Col V.G. and Jeanne E. (Kenen) Mellgren. He attended schools in Tombstone and was a 1935 graduate of Poly Tech High School in Long Beach, CA. On April 6, 1944 he was united in marriage to Mary Halbert in Waco. Walter joined the United States Merchant Marines prior to his service with the Air Force-Army Air Corp. He served during World War II in the Berma China Theater as a Staff Sergeant and head of the Military Police. Upon his discharge, he attended the Texas Chiropractic College in San Antonio graduating in 1948. He started his practice in West in 1948 and built the Mellgren Chiropractic Clinic in West in 1961, serving there for 45 years before retiring in 1995. Mary was always by his side in his endeavors and was his assistant for 17 years. Walter was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, where he served as an usher. He was also a member of the V.F.W. Post #4819, American Legion Post #478, Knight of Columbus Council #2305, West Kiwanis Club and West Chamber of commerce. He served on several boards including, the West ISD, West Hospital Authority and was a founder of the West Little League where he coached the Kiwanis Kats and the Ben Franklin teams. Walter enjoyed playing golf, hunting and fishing. He especially loved spending time with his family and living a devoted Christian life. In all conversations with family, friends and his patients he would say, "Keep The Faith". Walter is preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Val George Mellgren. Survivors include his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary Mellgren of West; two sons, Dr. Walt J. Mellgren Jr. of West and Steve Mellgren of Whitney; a daughter, Cindy McElrath and husband Terry of West; grandchildren, Michelle, Melissa, Jaime, Brandon, Lynette and husband Charles, Walt III, Michael and wife Stephanie, David, Matthew and wife Christina and Mary Jane; 11 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Walt Mellgren III, Dr. Michael Mellgren, David Mellgren, Brandon Mellgren, Matthew Nemec, Harlan Kamm, Rev. Terry McElrath and Charles Draper. Honorary pallbearers are David Moon, Ned Johnson and George Nors, Sr. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, St. Mary's Catholic Church or Tokio Baptist Church.