Maylin was best known for his love of the outdoors, and therefore earned the name "the Bear." He enjoyed watching and sometimes feeding wildlife. He was an avid outdoorsman for most of his life giving up deer hunting only in the last three years. He was an expert rifle shot and wing shot and took his sons hunting in the places where he had learned to hunt. His family went on many camping, fishing, hunting and boating trips, several of them in Canada. His children recall the time when two fishermen were stranded on a fogged-in Loonhaunt Lake, in Ontario. Some Canadian Mounties asked Maylin to take them out in his boat because he knew the lake so well, in order to rescue the fishermen. 
 
Maylin enjoyed fishing on Lake Superior with his wife and for many years they enjoyed this pastime. In later years, in his retirement, much of his time was spent traveling. He would drive on his own to distant places as well as travel with Diane. They made many trips to Florida, one of their favorite spots. He loved to hunt for sea shells on the beach and took Grandchildren with him whenever he could. Maylin was never in a hurry but always enjoyed getting there and then thoroughly enjoyed everything about where he was. His children and grandchildren will remember him for all the stories he loved to tell, many times over. 
 
He and Diane also enjoyed traveling to casinos. He had a reason he enjoyed it so much. He won two cars from two different casinos. 
 
Maylin was proceeded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Diane, three sons, James (Laurel) Erdman, Daniel (Nancy) Erdman, and LaVerne and six daughters, Jean Johnson, Judith Anderson, Deborah Erdman, Denise (James) Robertson, Linda (Mark) Kam and Carole Olson; and by fifteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Arlene Melville, sisters-in-law Barb Lewis and Wanda Sommer and many nieces and nephews. 
 
Funeral services will he held at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 6, 2009 at Fuller-Speckien Funeral Home with Rev. Rodney Venberg officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home one hour before the service.
 
Friends may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckien.com.
 
Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.