While working on a farm in North Dakota , Mel met a young women at a barn dance named Norma Schultz. They married in the summer of 1958, and celebrated 61 beautiful years together, they raised 3 children, worked, tended the farm, until later sharing in the lives of 5 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mel had many quality characteristics; out of all of them the one that shined the most was how much capacity he had in loving his wife and family. Nothing had greater meaning to him than the people he held close to his heart. Mel had other very admirable and notable qualities outside of Tri-Met, where he drove 10 hours a day for 27 years, before retiring in 1999. Bus Driving and family wasn't his only ambition, the couple owned a piece of property, that Mel later in 1987, built up and cultivated into a pig farm, he tended to everyday after driving. Working day in, and day out was just who he was, his incredible work ethic was always one of many things to be admired of him.

Mel passed peacefully Thursday, April 9, 2020, doing something he loved, sharing one last dance with Norma; his wife to a song from their past.

Mel is survived by his wife, Norma VanVorst, their children, Michael VanVorst, Sherry Fisher, Mark and Shannon VanVorst. Grandchildren include Anthony Vanvorst and Heather Reed, Lona VanVorst, Tristin Fisher, Loren and Heather VanVorst, Shaylynne VanVorst-Neyman and Joseph Neyman. Great-Grandchildren; Izabell VanVorst, Vanessa Reed, Darian VanVorst, Kylee VanVorst, Aloysius Heinz, Rahjim Heinz, Michaela VanVorst, Ayden VanVorst, Hailey VanVorst, Torrie VanVorst, Kaydence VanVorst, and Lycan VanVorst.