Melvin Floyd Machen

Melvin "Buster" Floyd Machen, 95, of Twin Falls, passed away January 13, 2026.

Melvin Floyd Machen was nicknamed “Buster” and most of his relatives knew him by this name.

Buster was born on Sunday, April 13, 1930, in a log house built by his grandfather. It was on a farm outside of Rexburg, Idaho. His parents were George Regnald Machen and Thelma Beatrice Kelly. He was the oldest child and would be joined in the family by three sisters, Lorna Elaine Yakovich, Shirley Marlene Crank, and Beverly Horton. Buster was very happy when the fifth child turned out to be a boy, Jack Roy Machen.

The Great Depression had just started, but his family felt lucky to be on a farm with a warm home and food. His family moved around to various locations in Idaho and Montana to find employment.

Buster left school in the 9th grade to go to work to help support the family. There always seemed to be work in the summer and fall in the potato fields. He also worked in the copper mines in Butte, Montana.

On June 6, 1949, he joined the United States Army. He did basic training at Fort Ord. He was assigned to Fort Belvoir in Virginia for training to be a heavy construction equipment mechanic. Floyd enjoyed working with his hands and fixing things. He also had some creative ways to solve problems. Eventually, he was assigned to the 319th Engineering Attachment of the 65th Heavy Equipment Company in Okinawa, Japan. Floyd was discharged from the Army on December 4th, 1952.

Buster worked on several jobs when he returned to Idaho. One of the ones he enjoyed the most was being the city dog catcher and pound master. He was good at rounding up stray dogs and would often come in with 16 or 18 dogs. He even got his picture in the newspaper as dog catcher.

Buster met his future wife, Marleen Pitcher on a blind date in 1955. They dated for a few months and decided to become engaged. Marleen wanted to be married in the Idaho Falls Temple. Buster had to work hard to make that happen and then on 20 December 1956 they made an eternal family. Their goal was to have a big family.

They moved to Butte, Montana for work shortly after being married. While there a daughter was born to them in 1957. They named her Cindy. In his brief life story he wrote, “I’ll never forget the first time I saw Cindy. She was just looking around, just as bright as could be.”

Bonnie came on August 18, 1958 and was, “a sweet little thing. She kept us busy. She always was trying to do big things even though she was so small.”

Barbara was born on May 22,1960. “We were sure happy to have her. She turned out to be a cute little red head. She had a cute way of talking and could outrun most of the boys.”

Finally, a boy arrived– Wayne Floyd on December 18, 1962. “He was the largest baby up until then. He was over 10lbs. It was a little hard to change his mind when he had made it up. Our first boy, and man, were we proud of him.”

“Amy was our fourth child. She was born on the 25th of July 1964. Marleen had been playing volleyball that day but then decided they needed to get back to town. Amy was born 10 minutes after they arrived at the hospital. She was a happy baby.”

On August 22nd, 1965, Ted Allen was born. “Ted was a very nice little boy. He was really interested in cars and machines. He is a great kid, and I am proud of him”

Rex Jay was born on October 3, 1966. “He was a husky little boy...now is real slim and tall. He had real blonde hair. We are real proud of him”

On May 15th, 1968, Judy was born. “She was a fine little girl. She was always smiling and a real joy to have around.”

Wendy was born on October 4th, 1969. “She was a wonderful little girl. She was always where she was not expected to be… I love her very much and always will.”

On May 18, 1971, Joseph Ben was born. “He was a wonderful little red headed boy. He could never sit still for very long… I love him very much and always will.”

Donna was born on August 19, 1974. “She was a little red head too. She is quite a ball player. She is a very good girl. We love her very much.”

On April 23, 1975 Ken Buster was born. “He was the only birth I got to see. He was a wonderful little boy only weighing 11 lbs. 15 oz. and measuring 25 inches long…Ken is a boy to be proud of.”

Floyd’s posterity includes 37 grandchildren and an ever-increasing number of great grandchildren.

They lived in Anaconda for 14 years and then moved to Stevensville, Montana for several years. Marleen and Floyd moved to Oregon City, and then to Priest River, Idaho. They retired to Twin Falls, Idaho and have resided there to this day.

The final message he had in his life story was this.

“For the most part we have stayed close to the Church and close to the Lord. For this I am thankful. It is so wonderful to see all of my kids raising their families, living good lives and being good responsible people. I hope and pray that we can keep close to the Lord and if we ever find ourselves drifting away that we can get on our way back through prayer.”

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 am, with a viewing beginning at 10:00 am, Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Perrine Ward Building, 824 Caswell Avenue West, Twin Falls. Burial will conclude with Military Honors at the Snake River Canyon National Cemetery, 1585 E Elm St, Buhl.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Buster's memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.