Melvin M. Schilter, 97, of Redfield, SD, died Wednesday, December 02, 2009 at Community Memorial Hospital in Redfield. His funeral will be Monday, December 7, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. Reverend Peter M. Utecht will officiate. Burial will be in the Athol Cemetery with full military rites. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8:00 p.m. at Thelen Funeral Home in Redfield. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Melvin was born February 6, 1912, In Athol, SD, to Herman and Dora (Batteen) Schilter.
He attended country school and graduated from Athol High School. During the "dirty 30's" Melvin worked a year in the C.C. camps in the Black Hills. Melvin attended Aircraft Tech School in Omaha, NE and worked for Bell Aircraft in Niagara Falls, NY. He served in the United States Army Air Force from 1942-46 and was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. After his discharge, he returned to the Athol area and farmed until his retirement in 1994.

Melvin was an avid sports fan and loved to hunt and fish. In later years, he especially enjoyed visits from his brother, sisters, and nieces and nephews. He remained active throughout his life.

Melvin is survived by his sister Altha Stammer of Faulkton, SD; his nieces and nephews: June Anderson of Dixon, CA; Jack (Rita) Wilhelm of Rockham, SD; Denise (Tom) Lingscheit of Miller, SD; Jane (Walt) Schueth of Omaha, NE; Roger (Joyce) Schone of Minneapolis, MN; Doug Schone of St. Louis, MO; Marlene (Frank) Sproul of Pinehurst, ID; and Glen (Wanda) Schilter of Rock Springs, WY.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ardis Schone, his two brothers: Clarence and Glen, his niece Joan Schone-Haas and his nephew Rolland Wilhelm.