Melbert “Mel” Schnabel

Melbert “Mel” Schnabel

Melbert was born in Kulm, South Dakota to August and Lydia Schnabel (Frank) on July 23, 1934. He started his life helping around the farm the 7th of 9 children. When he was about 14, the family moved to Stevensville, Montana to farm. One of his earliest recollections was driving the family car over Beavertail Hill east of Missoula while his Dad was asleep in the passenger seat and his mother and two younger siblings were asleep in the back seat. In 1951, Mel started on the smelter breaking up the over pour getting paid for eight hours no matter how long it took. Three years later, he transferred to the “Rope Gang” and soon started working on the cranes, dozers, and other various heavy equipment. Everyone that knew him said he would be a bachelor until he died, but he met the love of his life Margaret “Peggy” Kalcso and they were married on September 24, 1960. They had two sons John Luke and Charles ”Chuck” (Lyza) Schnabel. Mel worked for the Anaconda Company after the smelter closed in 1980 dozing the lab, change house, and tending to all the other structures left. Mel finally retired in 1986 with 35 years on the smelter.

Following retirement, Mel and Peggy traveled throughout the US by their 5th wheel trailer until adopting and raising their grandson Luke (Kayla) Schnabel. Mel and Peggy were very involved in the snowmobile club during the winter and often traveled to see relatives far and wide until Peggy’s onset of illness. Mel took care of her until the end of her life in 2011. They were married 51 years. Soon after, Mel moved to Butte to be closer to his grandchildren and down size from the house he lived in for 45 years in the West Valley of Anaconda. Mel passed away November 14, 2025 in Mesquite, Nevada after extended illness.

Mel is survived by his sons John Luke of Butte; Charles James (Lyza) of Apache Juntion, AZ; Luke (Kayla) of Madison, NC; grandchildren Derek Tool, Ethan Schnabel, Sage Huot, Rebecca (Ryan) Schnabel-Cotter, Patrick Schnabel; great grandchildren Onyx Rain Schnabel, Aubrey Lynn Schnabel, Cambria Dawn Schnabel; Bentley Huot.

Mel is also survived by his sister Arlene (Windy) Windydall and his sisters in-law Rose Mary Gross, Sue Pierson, Carol Preskar, Jerry Kay (Tim) Jorgenson and brothers in-law Lawrence (Dorthy) Kalcso and Ron (Melena) Kalcso along with numerous nieces and nephews on both sides.

Celebration of Life Service

June 12, 2026-10:30 a.m.

Holy Family Church -Anaconda, Montana