Melvin Block

Melvin Block, 86 of Grenville died on Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at Sanford Healthcare in Sioux Falls. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Grenville with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be at the church in Grenville on Tuesday 4-8 P.M. with a Rosary at 7 P.M. Melvin Alphonse Block was born on January 12, 1925 to Frank and Sophia (Golombieski) Block Sr. at the family farm near Grenville, South Dakota. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Grenville. He attended country grade school in Grenville Township until the eighth grade when he began helping on the family farm. In 1944, he joined the United States Merchant Marines. Melvin was very proud to have traveled around the world twice in his military career. After his honorable discharge, he moved back to Grenville and on June 23, 1948 he was united in marriage to Margaret Aldentaler at St. Josephs Catholic Church. To this union five children were born. The couple made their home on a farm west of Eden, South Dakota until 1962, when the family moved to the Block family farm east of Grenville. Margaret passed away in 1964. Melvin continued to farm and raise their five children. Later in life, Melvin lived with his companion Cecelia Rumpza for more than 25 years until her passing in 2009. Melvin was a lifelong member at St. Josephs Catholic Church. He also just recently joined the American Legion. Melvin enjoyed fishing, gardening, trips to the casino, and driving to the farm with his dog Molly. Melvin passed away Tuesday November 22, 2011 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 86 years, 10 months, and 10 days. He is survived by: two sons; Michael (Beverly) Block of Grenville, SD, Melvin Babes (Kathy) Block Jr. of Gwinner, ND, three daughters; Mary (Jerry) Danielson, Melvina (Jon) Rau both of Fallon, NV, and Michelle (John) Strother of Winnemucca, NV, one brother Walter Block of Roslyn, SD, 14 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, special friend Cecelia, seven sisters, four brothers, one grandchild, and three great-grandchildren.