Melvin E. Gilman

Melvin Eugene Gilman, age 75, of Lake Crystal, died Saturday, October 7, 2017, at his home.

Funeral Service 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 14, 2017, at the First Presbyterian Church, Lake Crystal. Visitation will be from 9:30-11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Interment will be in Garden City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred. Lake Crystal Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Melvin was born June 29, 1942 to Coad and Josephine (Johnson) Gilman at the Gilman family farm where he lived for all of his 75 years. Melvin graduated from Lake Crystal High School in 1960. He married Dora Gustafson on March 20, 1964 at the First Presbyterian Church in Lake Crystal.

Melvin farmed, worked at the elementary school in Lake Crystal, and then worked at Carlson Craft until his retirement in 2010. Melvin and Dora enjoyed their retirement and Melvin enjoyed and cherished Farm Life. He will be missed by everyone that knew him.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 53 years, Dora; three children, Kristine (Lee) Kollos of Rogers, Randy (Jan) Gilman of Sun City West, AZ, and Mitchell Gilman of Lake Crystal; five grandchildren, Taylor and Austin Kollos, Jordan Gilman, Ashley Baedke, and Lindsay (Chris) Belden; two great-grandchildren, Liam and Max Belden; foster daughter, Tashina Muns; four sisters, Charlene Blakesley of Mapleton, Frances Heers of Austin, Violet (Bob) Kern of Mankato, Alice (Dick) VanBrunt of Mapleton; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Phyllis Gilman of Lake Crystal, Albert (Florence) Gustafson of Riverview, FL, Dick (Donna) Gustafson of Sartell, and Marcia (Pike) Helleksen of Lake Crystal; many nieces, nephews, and his dog, Jackson.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Edward Gilman; three brothers-in-law, Paul Heers, Lawrence “Bud” Blakesley, and Earl Blakesley; three nephews, Gary Gilman, Bruce Blakesley, and Tom Kern; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Fred and Dorothy Gustafson.