June 20, 2018
Melvin Edward Marshall was born in Erskine, the first of ten children born to Fern and Dave Marshall, of Stettler, Alberta.
He attended school at South Buffalo Lake School and made it to Grade 6. He helped his dad on the farm, milking cows, haying and other chores. With such a large family, Mel figured his time would be better spent working, so he bought his first cat at the age of 15 and went to work.
In 1956 he married Karen Anne Grover, of Delburne, Alberta. They had four children in the Stettler area, Marilyn, Yvonne, Sandra, and Bruce. Homesteading brought Mel and Karen to the Cotillion area in 1962 where they had one more child Kathy, born in Dawson Creek.
When they settled in the Cotillion area, he was in his dream land, lots of trees and bush to knock down and lots of land to break. He worked with his cat to break land for other homesteaders until he could afford to buy some land of his own. In 1974, after a lengthy battle with cancer, Karen passed away. This was a huge loss for Mel. Now he had five children to look after, the youngest was 10.
In 1983, Dad brought Gwen to the farm and she moved up in November to stay. Marilyn passed suddenly in 2001 in a car accident. We all took her death hard and although Mel didn't say much, it was hard on him. In many ways, our family grew closer. Dad and Gwen decided to sell the farm in 2016. They downsized to move into Spirit River Grandview Estates and stayed there until March of this year when they downsized again and moved into Pleasantview Lodge in Spirit.
Dad was predeceased by his brothers Stan, Howard and Al, his mother Fern and dad Dave, as well as wife Karen and daughter Marilyn. He leaves to mourn his partner of 40 years Gwen Allan, his kids Yvonne (Buck), Sandra, Bruce, Kathy (Shad), grandkids Laryssa (Eric), Derick, Matthew (Isabelle), Miranda (Jon), Kailene (Mitch), Brandon, Dillan, Gregery, Scott (Megan), Karen (Charles), Thomas (Megan) and great-grandchildren Tristan, Ashtyn, Keauna, Shay, Aeva, Ruby, Joceyln, Maverick, Jace. He will be laid to rest beside Karen and Marilyn in the Erskine Cemetery.
A graveside service will follow August 10 at 7 p.m. at the Erskine Cemetery with a visit and a tea at the Stettler Legion around
7:30 p.m.