Melvin Waylen Shackelford

Melvin Shackelford, of Revillo, SD, passed away January 22, 2013, at Milbank Area Hospital – Avera Health. Services will be held on Saturday, January 26, at 2:00 p.m. at the Gary United Methodist Church in Gary, SD, with Rev. Frank McKeehan officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday evening, January 25, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD, and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the LaBolt Cemetery. Melvin Waylen Shackelford was born in Canby, MN, to George Wilson and Margaret Esther (Evans) Shackelford on February 20, 1939. He grew up on the family farm and attended and graduated from Marietta High School in 1957. Following graduation Melvin was in service through the National Guard in Fort Lenard, MO until his discharge in 1959. On December 2, 1967, Melvin and Karen Tribitt were joined in marriage in Clear Lake, SD. They were blessed with six children. Karen passed away in 1983. Melvin worked a variety of jobs, from farm labor to construction, until 1986, when he opened his own business as a small engine mechanic. He retired in 2004. Melvin was a gifted mechanic and thoroughly enjoyed tinkering. He liked car racing. Melvin enjoyed a good game of Solitaire and, even in recent years, could be found kneeling on the floor, playing away! Melvin was gregarious, had a keen sense of humor, always had a joke, and loved to laugh. He will be missed. Melvin passed away on January 22, 2013, in the Milbank Hospital, having reached the age of 73. Cherishing his memory are his children: Jeanne Shackelford of Milbank; Ray (Selena Evenson) Shackelford of Revillo; June (Lee) Skovbo of Milbank; Jana Connelly (J.T. Schacherer) of Dawson, MN; JoAnn (Michael) Lonergan of Morris, MN; and Ryan Shackelford of Revillo; nine grandchildren; two brothers: Dale (Eloise) Shackelford of Marietta, MN, and Lyle (Shelly) Shackelford of Montrose, MN; and nieces and nephews. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.