sity. Mel was born in 1931 in Rockbridge, Wisconsin, and eventually moved with his family to Richland Center, where he met his future wife, Mary Louise Sholtes, when they were both sixteen. After graduating from high school, he attended UW Wisconsin - Madison. He interrupted his studies for a stint in the US Air Force. He and Mary were married in Madison in 1953 before he shipped to his assignment in France. Mary joined him there for a year, and their first child, Cynthia, was born during that time. Once back in the US, he and Mary settled in Madison, where he continued his studies and completed his medical training, eventually specializing in Orthopedic Surgery. He joined the Quisling Clinic group in 1966 - where he remained in practice for the duration of his medical career - and performed surgery at Madison General Hospital. In the later years of his practice he added the rural communities of Richland Center and Hillsboro to his surgical and clinic work. He deeply touched the lives of many people who came to him for medical care. In 1965 he and Mary purchased a lot in the Arboretum neighborhood. With the help of renowned architect Herb Fritz Jr., he and Mary designed their dream home, based on an octagon, with no right angles. He lived there with Mary until his death. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; daughters Cynthia (Jody) Baxter; Tanya (Neil Robinson) Cunningham; Leslie Cunningham; son John (Amy) Cunningham; grandchildren Danu (Jordan) Schoeck and Atea Baxter; Jake Robinson; Meghan, Jack, Ellie and Brynn Cunningham; and great-grandchildren Austin and Jayda Schoeck. He is predeceased by his parents, Floyd and Mildred (née Sharp) Cunningham, and siblings Anna, Earl, and Rodney. No service is planned. Condolences and remembrances can be shared on the Cress website at http://www.cressfuneralservice.com/obituaries/ To contact the family directly: baxter.cynthia@gmail.com Cress Funeral & Cremation Service 3325 E. Washington Avenue, Madison 608-249-6666