RAPID CITY | Melvin J. Pietz, 87, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in Rapid City. Mel was born Dec. 7, 1927, in Hosmer, SD, to John and Bertha (Kirschenmann) Pietz. He graduated from Hosmer High School. Mel married Violet Hauck on July 30, 1950, in Hosmer. To this union, four children were born. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in January 1951 and was honorably discharged as a Private in April 1951. Mel and Vi raised their family in the Aberdeen area. He was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years as a Postal Clerk and retired in 1982. Following retirement, Mel and Vi moved to Rapid City where they built their home. Mel was active in bowling leagues and was an avid outdoorsman where he loved to camp, fish and hunt; a hobby he shared with his family. He was a skilled handyman, building many things in his lifetime including their home, camper, and an A-frame lake cabin. Mel will be remembered for his strong faith, love for his family and friends, and being a hard worker. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Levin. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Violet Pietz, Rapid City; three sons, Robert Pietz, Rapid City, Richard (Brian Jorgensen) Pietz, Minneapolis, MN, and Thomas (DeeAnna) Pietz, Rapid City; one daughter, Bonnie (Jim) Horan, Rapid City; four grandchildren, Tiffany, Travis, Steven and Michelle; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today at Osheim and Schmidt Funeral Home, with the Rev. Kathleen Batchelder officiating. Visitation will be for one hour prior to services. Interment will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with full military honors rendered by the Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the South Dakota Army National Guard. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to First Congregational Church.