Paul Melin

Paul Wylie Melin, husband, father, former County Commissioner and Deputy Tax Collector, succumbed to cancer Oct. 23 at 84, while surrounded by family members at Hospice of Marion County's Estelle's House.

Melin's ashes will be placed, along with a plaque, at the "dream home" he worked on for more than 30 years. The nearly finished house is on the 20 acre property in Fort McCoy where Melin had lived for more than 40 years in another home with his wife of 63 years, Cornelia “Connie” Melin.

Paul Melin had tinkered with the nearly completed house, at times using a cart and canes for mobility, until just weeks before he passed away. He stored many tools and other items in the project home and was described as a “collector” by his family by all accounts, he was likely too busy helping others as a county official or private citizen to finish the home sooner.

He graduated from Ocala High School in 1949. His family operated Melin's Dry Cleaners and he grew up in the business, but later in started a tractor site work business and ran for County Commissioner in 1966.

Paul served on the commission, representing northeast Marion County, from 1966 to 1978. In his first few years on the commission, the county adopted zoning that was met with some resistance originally. Paul also worked for a time with Scotty's Hardware and served as Deputy Tax Collector from 1994 to 2006. He also was active in the Oakcrest School PTA, Oak-Griner Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Fort McCoy. He was a member of the Masons for more than 50 years.

He is survived by his loving wife, Connie Melin; sons, John Melin, Paul Melin Jr., James Melin, Karl Melin, Andrew Melin; thirteen grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.

Services for Paul will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at First Baptist Church of Fort McCoy. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Hospice of Marion County, 3231 SW 34th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474, or the Youth Camp Fund at First Baptist Church of Fort McCoy, P.O. Box 480 Fort McCoy, FL 32134.