Mario Michelon was born in Hilt, California on October 31,1932 and died at the age of 86 on May 25, 2019. He was a resident and active member of the Cloverdale community for 58 years. Mario attended elementary school in Hilt and graduated from Yreka High School. He earned a degree in Education from Chico State College. That is also where he and his wife, Marilyn, met. They married a year later, worked for two years in the Sacramento Robla School District, and then found Cloverdale.
Mario was the Principal of both Jefferson school and Washington School for a total of 26 years. During the summers, he worked as a guide at Italian Swiss Colony winery in Asti. After he retired, he discovered the donuts in the employee’s room at Ace Hardware and began working there. They eventually put him on the payroll.
Mario was one of the founding members of the Cloverdale Senior Center, a member of the Citrus Fair Board, a long-time member of the Cloverdale Lions Club and the United Church of Cloverdale.
He is predeceased by his parents, Giovanni and Olimpia Michelon; brother Atillio; and an infant son. Survivors are his wife of 60 years, Marilyn; son Steven Michelon; daughters Janice Reidell (Bill) and Lori Hayashida; grandchildren Alexander and Olivia Reidell, Mario and Kosei Hayashida, Katherine and Matthew Michelon. Also surviving are his siblings Gino Michelon (Marie), Eva Mullin, Ines Carrell (Gene), and Diana Gunther (Chet).
A private family celebration of his life is planned. If you wish to honor him, you may give to your favorite charity or to the Lion’s Eye Foundation or the Cloverdale School District Care Foundation.
