Melvin “Mel” Hardy Camp

Melvin “Mel” Hardy Camp, age 89 of Grand Haven, passed away on March 29, 2022 at Holland Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born on October 18, 1932 in Grand Haven, MI to the late Howard and Evelyn (Beamer) Camp.

Mel graduated from Muskegon Heights High School and went on to proudly serve his country in the US Marine Corps from 1949 to 1952, serving one year in Korea during the Korean Conflict. After returning home, he met and then married Sharon McCarthy on June 18, 1955 in Grand Haven.

Mel started out working for Farr View Dairy, and then worked as a custodian at Peach Plains Elementary School. Mel later became an agent for State Farm Insurance of Grand Haven in business with his brother-in-law, Pat McCarthy.

He was a member of St. Patrick – St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish for most of his life and former Grand Knight with the Knights of Columbus. Mel was also a member of the Grand Haven Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 925, and long-time member of the North Ottawa Rod & Gun Club, where he was on their competition pistol team. Mel also taught Hunters Safety Courses for several years at the Rod and Gun Club.

He was a good singer and had participated in musicals in the past. Mel enjoyed fishing, hunting, and woodworking.  One of his greatest loves in life was spending time with his wife, Sharon at the cabin they owned in the U.P., and spending winters in warm climates.

Mel is remembered and missed by his wife of 66 years, Sharon; his four children, Dawn (Tim) Holland of Custer, SD, Becky (Dave) Buhman of Ackley, IA, Greg (Maria) Camp of Grand Haven, David (Lori) Camp of Concord, NC; 10 grandchildren: Sara Carter, Garrett Holland, Melody Camp, Christopher Camp, Kirill Camp, Evan Camp, Eric (Stephanie) Buhman, Chad (Lisa) Buhman, David (Carlee) Buhman, and Andrew (Gift) Buhman; three great-grandchildren, Madison and Ethan Camp, and Alexis Carter; siblings, Kathleen Holmberg and Ronald (Francie) Camp; sister-in-law, Patricia Camp; and nephews, Jason and Todd Holmberg, and Jeff Camp.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Phyllis Bolle and Howard Camp; brother-in-law, Harvey Holmberg; and nephew, Jim Camp.

The Memorial Service for Mel will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at St. Patrick- St. Anthony’s Catholic Parish with Fr. Charles Schwartz officiating. Full Military Honors to be performed by the V.F.W. Sgt. Alvin Jonker Post 2326. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Grand Haven Township Historic Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the North Ottawa Rod & Gun Club.

For those unable to attend the in-person service, it will also be live streamed. To view, click the hyperlink below at 11 am on April 6.

https://youtu.be/WpWSsq1VsBU

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melvin “Mel” Hardy Camp, please visit our floral store.