Ivan Melnyk was born on April 3, 1974, in the village of Viinytsia, Mlyniv Raion. His mother Halyna (born in 1948) is a retiree. All her working life she spent as an accountant in the local collective farm. Ivan’s father Ivan Melnik (born in 1948) worked as a teacher in Sosnove Gymnasium. In 1976, the family moved to the village of Sovpa, Berezne Raion. In 1980, Ivan started the gymnasium in Sosnove and finished it in 1991. He grew up in the family with many children. Ivan had three brothers and two sisters.
In 1992, he was drafted into the Armed Forces of Ukraine where he served till 1994. During service, he was awarded a Certificate for loyalty to military duties and achievements in the battle training. Ivan served in Kamianets-Podilskiy Military Base 02983.
From 1994 to 2008, he worked as a driver in the Regional Department of Housing Service.
On March 10, 2015, according to the Decree of Berezne Military Registration and Enlistment Office, Ivan was called up for military service in order to take part in the combat actions in the Zone of the Anti-Terrorist Operation. He served on the 29th Check Point on the Bukhmutka Route in Luhansk Oblast. Ivan held the rank of a senior sergeant and commanded an office. During the service in the Zone of Anti-Terrorist Operation, the hero was decorated with the Order for performing the duties with honor and the Medal for defending his Motherland. The office commanded by the senior sergeant Melnyk was detecting and neutralizing the raiding forces of separatists. Ivan’s subordinates always treated him with respect.
He died on March 14, 2016, while doing military service in the Zone of the Anti-Terrorist Operation. Ivan was buried in the village of Sovpa.