Mel was born in Huron, SD to John M. and Susie Decker Waldner. At six weeks of age his mother passed away and he was raised by his Aunt and Uncle Jacob K. and Katie Waldner and their children, Norma and Delmar. He attended Wheeler Country School in Beadle County SD and Freeman Academy in Freeman, SD. Mel spent one year at Freeman Jr. College, and then graduated from Southern State Teachers college in Springfield, SD in 1964, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Industrial Technology and Math. He then taught for several years in Iowa before earning a masters degree from Iowa State University in 1972 in Educational Administration. In 1974, Mel graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with an Associates Degree in Educational Administration.

Mel was united in marriage to Lola Hasz Blount on December 5th, 1987 in South Sioux City NE at the Presbyterian Church. They started their life together in a new home in the bluffs overlooking Homer NE. He was superintendant for 28 years in Homer, NE before retiring in 2000. They moved to Yankton, SD in June of 2003. He was continually involved with many community and church organizations in each of the communities that he lived in. He was a member of the South Sioux City Presbyterian Church for 30 years and a member of the United Church of Christ in Yankton for the past 8 years. He dearly loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Family gatherings, spending times with friends, golfing, playing cards and dominos, and watching the Nebraska Cornhuskers football and Minnesota Twins. Traveling with his wife Lola was his most cherished retirement activity.

He is survived by wife Lola, son Tim (Peg) Waldner and children (Braydan and Rhayna) of Pierce, NE, daughter Jill (Jim) Sharp and child (Tristen) of Dakota City, NE, step-children Jeff (Heather) Iliff and daughter (Maya) of West Virginia, Jay Blount and children (Michael and Kelsey) of Pierre, SD, Susan Jones and her children (Dennon and Ali) of Nederland, CO. Sisters and brothers: Alma Gross, Kathryn Glanzer, John E. (Emma) Waldner, Bernice (Paul) Kleinsasser, Viola (Mike) Hofer, Naomi (Duane) Gross, Pearl Hofer, Norman (Marge) Waldner, Barbara (LeRoy) Gross, Bennie Waldner, Lucille Waldner, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Susie Waldner, Jacob and Katie Waldner, brothers Willis Waldner and Delmar Waldner, brothers-in-law Clarence Glanzer, Jim Gross, Jerane Hofer, and sister-in-law Josephine Waldner.

Memorials are directed to the Homer Community School Foundation, Homer, NE 68030 and United Church of Christ (Congregational) Religious Education, 218 W. 5th, Yankton, SD 57078.