RAPID CITY - Michael James Melvin, 67, Rapid City, was called home, Monday, Dec. 22, 2008. Michael was born Dec. 15, 1941, to James V. and Leslie G. (Holmes) Melvin and was the eldest of seven siblings born to this union. The family lived both in Lance Creek, WY, and Cheyenne, WY. As a young child, Michael and his parents moved to Hot Springs and then to Rapid City, where Michael attended Cathedral Grade School and his freshmen year of high school at Cathedral. Michael's childhood and youth, to age 14, was shared with two of his sisters visiting their maternal grandparents' home near Hill City. Michael enjoyed building a raft and floating it down the creek at Horse Thief Inn, riding horses, hiking the trails and wading and swimming in the creek. During the 1950's, Michael also attended Camp Columbus, a Catholic youth camp for young boys, located on Nemo Road near Rapid City. During this timeframe, Michael served as an altar boy at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Rapid City. At age 14, Michael entered the Minor Seminary at Elkhorn, NE, to finish high school and contemplate a vocation to the priesthood. After high school Michael enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, and due to a recurring medical condition, Michael was honorably discharged. Following this, Michael moved to Missoula, MT, and enrolled in Montana State University to study Forestry, returning to South Dakota in 1968. Michael lived in Sturgis for several years and moved back to Rapid City a couple years ago. Michael was blessed with a keen intellect and an appreciation for and love of history, which he retained throughout his life. Michael loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, archery, fishing, hiking, swimming and camping. There were many family picnics and get-togethers, shared and treasured memories to savor for a lifetime of having Michael as a brother and a friend. Michael was a person of truth, integrity and exemplary role model for his family. Survivors include his five siblings, Nancy Melvin, Patricia Samuel, John (Marty) Melvin, Mary Rapp and Gerarda Brodin; his aunts, Peggy Sexton of Janesville, MN, and Jean Davis of Elgin, IL; his nephews, John Kruse, Troy Kruse, Justun Samuel, Kevin Samuel, Trevor Melvin and Stacey Melvin; his niece Sarah Whalen; numerous cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews; and many other friends and family. He was preceded in death by his father in 2004, his mother in 2006, and Kevin, his younger brother in 1968. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a Christian wake service with rosary at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, with the Rev. Michel Mulloy officiating. Interment, with military honors provided by Rushmore VFW Post 1273, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. The family would like to thank the doctors, nurses, medical staff and personnel at Fort Meade VA Medical Center for the care and concern shown for Michael over these many years. The family would also like to thank the caregivers and staff at Beverly Healthcare Facility on N. 7th St. for the care provided for Michael over the past two years that Michael was with them. And finally, for the ambulance service and their personnel who did everything they could for Michael.