Melvin L. "Red" Schendel, 89, of Garrett died on Sunday, January 31, 2010 at DeKalb Memorial Hospital in Auburn. He was born June 7, 1920 in Fairmont, MN to Leo and Laura (Gilman) Schendel. He married Eileen L. Haffner on February 14, 1948 in Garrett and she died on March 15, 2005. Melvin was a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force having served during WWII and the Korean Conflict. Following his discharge from the service, he became a Letter Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service where he worked for 35 years before reitring in 1980. He then worked as a Security Guard at Auburn Gear for the past 25 years. He was a member of the Garrett United Methodist Church and Garrett American Legion. He also was a Past President of the Garrett Lions Club. Red was an avid Tuesday Bridge player for over 40 years. Melvin is survived by a son and daughter in-law, Jeff and Mary Schendel of Garrett; daughter and son in-law, Greg and Ann Cochran of Auburn; 6 grandsons, Beau, Bryce and Brett Schendel and Logan, Landon and Brennan Cochran and a sister, Loretta Musser of St. Joe. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and 3 brothers. The funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Thomas Funeral Home, with Dr. Scott Shoaff officiating. Burial will follow in Christian Union Cemetery, with military graveside honors by the Garrett American Legion and VFW. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are to the Garrett United Methodist Church.