Melvin Arthur Champion July 10, 1945 - July 28, 2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jul 30, 2021 | 9:04 AM / 227 views
Melvin A. Champion, 76, of Herreid and formerly of Great Falls, MT, passed away Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at the Avantara Nursing Home in Ipswich. Military Graveside services will be held at a later date. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.
Melvin Arthur Champion was born on July 10, 1945, in Toledo, OH, to Glen and Mildred (Stout) Champion. He grew up and attended school in Toledo, graduating in 1963. Following graduation Melvin joined the US Air Force. He spent the next twenty years in the Air Force as part of the Minuteman Missile Squadron. Melvin married Peggy (Huber) Omland on August 6, 1971, in Rapid City where he was stationed. In 1974 Melvin and family moved to Great Falls, MT, where he was stationed until he retired from the Air Force in 1983.
After his retirement from the Air Force Melvin began a career in the civil service. He worked for Rivet Mile which were contracted to work on the missile sites. He retired in 2004 and remained in Great Falls. During his retirement he spent a lot of time doing carpentry, woodworking, fixing odds and ends, hunting, fishing, trap shooting and camping. Peggy passed away in December of 2018 and Melvin moved to Herreid in 2019 where he has since resided.
Melvin was a member of Walleyes Unlimited, the American Legion in Great Falls and Herreid, and the Rocky Mountain Elks Foundation.
Melvin is survived by his son, Terry (Ginger) Omland of Miles City, MT, daughter, Cheryl Sammons of Toledo, OH, grandchildren, DeDe Stieber, Dena (Rick) Lang, and Shanna (Abe) Murnion, 13 great grandchildren, 3 great great grandchildren, brother, Verlin (Ann) Champion of Toledo, OH, sisters-in-law, Deb (Barry) Larson of Herreid and JoAnn Champion of Toledo, OH, brothers-in-law, Bob (Marcia) Huber of Herreid and Al DeGregario of Toledo, OH, nieces, Erika Larson of Herreid, Dena (Arnie) Hanson of Herreid, and nephew, Preston (Kayla) Huber of Herreid and other nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Ann Champion, sister, Shirley DeGregario, brother, Ronald Champion.