Melvin John Heemeyer was born April 24, 1924, to Riksto and Delia (Bolhouse) Heemeyer of Castlewood. He attended school and graduated from Castlewood High School in 1941. Melvin was united in marriage to Lois Jean (Klatt) on October 27, 1945. Lois and Melvin farmed in the Castlewood area all of their married life. Lois passed May 5, 1986. Melvin married Virginia (Jungers) Kemink on January 16, 1988. While married, Melvin and Virginia enjoyed travelling the country. Melvin died Sunday May 17, 2015 at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center at the age of 91 years. Throughout his life he enjoyed farming, fishing, camping, and helping friends and neighbors. He had a great sense of humor that he shared with everyone he met and an ability to make anyone smile. He always enjoyed a game of cards or dominoes with friends and family. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Virginia; his four children: Connie (Larry) Swain of Brookings; Larry (Carol) Heemeyer of Mankato, MN; Lynn (Cindi) Heemeyer of Whitelaw, WI; and Tom (Sherri) Heemeyer of Glen Allen, VA; eleven grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; four step-children, Ray (Kathy) Kemink of Colbert, WA; Randy (Sally) Kemink of Poughkeepsie, NY; Rod (Sherri) Kemink of Castlewood; Jeff Kemink of Bloomington, MN; nine step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, Lois, Melvin was preceded in death by two sisters, Myrtle and Ruth. Visitation will take place at Geise Funeral Chapel in Castlewood on Wednesday, May 20th from 6PM until 8PM. Funeral services will be Thursday, May 21st at Hamlin Reformed Church of rural Castlewood at 10:00 AM with Rev. Carl Van Voorst officiating. Lunch will be served at the church following interment at the Castlewood Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center for the exceptional care given to Melvin.