Melvin L. Erickson, 81, of Brandon, formerly of Trent, SD, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Hospital in Sioux Falls. His funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2015 in the Kahler Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be two hours prior to the start of the service.  Condolences may be left at www.kahlerfh.com.

Melvin Lewis Erickson was born on July 2, 1933, the son of Harry and Francis Erickson in Sioux Falls, SD. He grew up in Sioux Falls and attended Washington High School. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1956 and served in Vietnam. Melvin married Sharleen Jenson on March 2, 1956 at Willow Creek Lutheran Church. They made their home in North Carolina while Melvin served in the military. After his discharge in 1968, they moved back to Dell Rapids. He graduated from Nettleton College in 1972. The couple made their home on an acreage and he worked at Lakeside Dairy, Campbell Supply, and Bowman Distributing in Sioux Falls. In 1987, Sharleen passed away. He moved to Redfield and went to work for the state hospital. He retired in 1999. In 2000, he moved back to the Trent area. In 2010, he moved to Helping Hands in Brandon.

He was a member of the Dell Rapids American Legion Post, and a longtime member of Willow Creek Lutheran Church.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his infant daughter and an infant sister.

Melvin is survived by his son, Dwane (Lori) of Trent; his daughters, Denise (Terry) Anderson of Trent, Darla (Duane) Halvorson of Trent and Dawn Erickson of Santa Fe, NM; his brothers, Edward (Kay) Erickson of Sioux Falls and Louis Erickson of Andallisia, AL; his sister, Harriet Parmely of Chancellor; his eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.