Melvin T. Petty
Melvin T. Petty, 80 of Shepherd died
Thursday, December 9, 2010 at St. Vincent Healthcare. Melvin
was born to Ella K. Petty and Stanley L. Petty in Billings,
Montana on September 10, 1930. He attended school in
Billings.
In 1948 he married Eva Sprankle. They were the parents of
four children, Terry (Dennis) Vidic of Roundup; Melvin A.
“Butch” (Amy) Petty of Billings; Stanley T. “Snick” Petty of
Billings/Roundup; and Jamie (Kim) Ehnes of Columbus.
Family was important to Mel and he always worked two jobs to
provide for his family, but as hard as he worked, her found
time for family outings. We spent our summer weekends water
skiing, camping or fishing. When fall came there were always
hunting trips with the boys, his brother Dick and the
nephews.
In 1975, Mel married Dawn Ruechel of Billings. He and Dawn
were married 35 years until his death.
Mel retired as Captain from the Billings Police Department
after 21 years of service. He then worked for United Tote
for 18 years, before again retiring. He was a hard worker
and was very talented as a welder, carpenter, and plumber.
If something needed fixing, just call Dad.
In later years, he and Dawn kept busy doing small remodel
jobs, woodwork crafts, gardening , hunting and remodeling
their second home in Wilsall, Montana. He also enjoyed
trapping and had already prepared his traps for the winter
season. He enjoyed having his family over for family
gatherings, and loved to sit at the kitchen table and listen
to their stories about work, hunting, fishing or trapping.
Mel’s love of animals always provided him and his family
with great joy. After moving to Shepherd, he raised turkeys,
Chinese pheasants, ring-necked pheasants, Canadian geese and
chickens of every size and color. Once when cutting down
fire wood, he found a nest of baby squirrels and he and Dawn
bottle fed them until they were able to be given to a
squirrel refuge. Animals loved Mel as much as he loved them.
They raised Golden Retriever dogs and had pixie-bob cats in
later years. He will be greatly missed by his favorite cat,
Turbo.
He is survived by his wife, best friend and partner, Dawn of
Shepherd; his four children; step-children Lynn Douglas,
Tari Larson, Rob Larson, Rich (Niki) Larson and Paul Ruechel; as
well as several nieces and nephews and cousins. Mel had 13
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, who he loved
dearly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Stanley
R. “Dick” Petty; and his step daughter Lori Cox.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday,
December 13, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Shepherd. Burial
will follow at Shepherd Cemetery. The family will be
receiving friends for visitation on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. at
Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.
Memorials may be made to Emmanuel
Lutheran Church of Shepherd.
Mel was a great father, husband and friend. He was the rock of our family. He will be sorely missed.
Remembrances
Please leave your name and remembrance in this public guest book. Your comments will be shared on this page and forwarded to the family.
Butch,
and family
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. My thoughts are with you.
Hang in There
Eli