Obituary of Melbert Eugene Hennig

It is with great sorrow that the family announces the passing of Mel on Wednesday, April 14, 2010. Mel was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Muriel, his parents Paul and Lydia Hennig (nee Fromm), and grandparents Fred and Amelia Fromm. Mel leaves to mourn: son Doug (Peggy) Hennig and grandson Nicholas of Regina; son Jeffrey (Caroline) Hennig and granddaughters Clare, Anna-Lisa, Katherine, Sophie and Helene of Costa Rica; brother Gerald (Brenda) Hennig of Regina; sister Miriam (Gerhard) Weisberg of Melfort; as well as aunts, nephews and cousins. Mel was born in Rhein, SK and at age three moved with his parents to the family farm in the Togo district, where he attended school. He left the farm in 1950 to pursue a business career, first with Department of Highways, then International Harvester, and ten years with a national tire manufacturer. He purchased the assets of a tire shop in Yorkton and operated it as a family business with his father and brother for many years. After selling the business, in 1972 they started a new business in Regina, Yorkton, and Prince Albert known as Wholesale Tire & Auto Service. After Mels father retired, his brother wanted to pursue other business interests, so Mel purchased their shares and operated the business until 1986 when he took in long-time friend Stan Herperger as equal partner. In 1988, Stan and two other employees purchased Mels shares. Mel was Saskatchewan supervisor with Tirecraft, an Edmonton-based tire and auto retailer, looking after stores around the province. In 1997 he became Executive Director of Western Canada Tire Dealers Association (WCTDA), a position he held for seven years until he retired in April 2003. Mel was past president of St. Marks Lutheran Church Council, past president of WCTDA, founding member and past president of Saskatchewan Scrap Tire Corporation, and past president of Selo Estates Condominium Corporation. He served as a director of C-6 Safety Association for five years, as well as on various committees for a number of organizations. Flowers gratefully declined. The memorial funeral service will be held at St. Marks Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3510 Queen Street, Regina, with Pastor Craig Moeller officiating, at a date to be announced.