Melvin Duane Walker, 73, of Sweet Home passed away Wednesday. He was born in Sweet Home, Oregon to Thomas Vernon and Rita Jewell (Chambers) Walker. Sweet Home is where he remained and was greatly known and loved by many.

Mel spent 40 years in the car business. For the past 24 years, he partnered with his brother Bob at Walker Bros. Auto Sales in Sweet Home.

He was a member of the Elks for 46 years. He loved the Lord and attended Calvary Chapel of Lebanon. Mel enjoyed garage sales, buying homes, remodeling properties, and then selling them. Mel still enjoyed the occasional buying and selling of cars and trucks.

Mel is survived by: his loving wife, Sonya Elaine (Lovely) Walker of Sweet Home; son, Daniel Wayne Walker of Sweet Home; stepchildren, Jeffrey D. Brennan, Jr., and Nicole D. (Brennan) Davis of Lebanon, and Michael E. Nickell of Molalla; brother, Bob G. Walker of Sweet Home; sister, Margaret Lucile (Walker) Loux of Sweet Home; and grandson, Deacon Cade Davis of Lebanon.

He is preceded in death by: his son, Dennis Duane Walker in 1982; brothers, Thomas (Toad) Vernon Walker, Jr., and William Dale Walker; sisters, Artis Jewell Walker and Zoa Louise Walker; and his parents, Tom and Rita Walker.

A celebration of Mel’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, July 14, 2012 at Sweet Home Mennonite Church, 1266 44th Avenue.

A private burial will take place at Gilliland Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.