Melvin H Renville, 89, of Flandreau, SD passed away on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024. Melvin was born on July 19th, 1934 in Sisseton, SD to Francis and Rebecca (Flute) Renville. He graduated from Sisseton public school where he has an Honor Athlete in basketball. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the US Army in 1953. He later transferred into the Navy where he proudly served 20 years and attained the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Many of those years were spent on the USS Oriskany. Melvin was a veteran of the Korean War and Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in 1974.
After the military, Melvin started his lifetime career in the US Postal Service as a Postmaster in various places in SD including Ortley, Eureka, Mobridge, Florence, Watertown, Dell Rapids, and Flandreau. Melvin met his wife Belva in Sisseton, SD and they married in 1975. They settled in Flandreau, SD with their 2 children in 1981 where he retired as Postmaster in 1992 with 18 years of service. In his retired years, Melvin helped out as Store Manager for the First American Mart and delivered meals to the elderly for the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe.
Melvin enjoyed fishing, playing pool and golfing with friends. He was also on bowling leagues for many years and was able to obtain his perfect 300 game. He liked to travel and took his family on many trips from coast to coast. He shared his love for food with his family and was a great cook. In his later years, Melvin loved to spend time with his grandchildren and was their biggest fan watching them play sports. He cherished family get togethers for birthday celebrations and holidays.
Melvin is survived by wife, Belva (Lafromboise) Renville; brother Darrel Renville, Sisseton, SD; daughter Kristi Renville, Sioux Falls, SD; son Garret Renville, Flandreau, SD; His grandchildren, Jalissa, Kaylin and Kellan Tiger and Garret Patrick Renville.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Rebecca Renville; siblings, Magnus Renville, Buster Renville, Joyce Crantz, Viola Demarrias, and Ronnie Renville; son, Stacey LaBlanc and grandson, Darias Tiger.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Eastman Hall with burial at First Presbyterian Cemetery in Flandreau, SD.
