In the early morning hours of Friday, March 28, 2014, Melvin Lynn Deppmeier (70 years) lost his battle with cancer at Benefis Hospital Extended Care in Great Falls. Cremation has taken place, and memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, April 11, 2014, at Holland & Bonine Funeral Chapel in Havre. Interment will follow in Highland Cemetery. The family has suggested in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Pet Paw-See at 1505 4th Avenue S, Great Falls, MT 59405. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements, and you can leave your memories and condolences for the family at www.hollandbonine.com. Melvin was born early in the morning of August 23, 1943, in Havre, Montana, to parents Lynn and Helen (Schend) Deppmeier, and was raised at the family home near Fresno, Mt. He started school at Kremlin Elementary, and later finished grade school in Havre. After spending several years at Havre High School, Melvin decided that Army life called. He enlisted in the Army and served in Germany his whole enlistment. Upon his discharge, he worked on several ranches and later in a security position in Cleveland, OH. Recent decades found him in Great Falls working at the Great Falls Rescue Mission and living a quiet life of his choosing. A spark came into his being when he adopted a stray dog and named her Sara. They became excellent friends and were always together until Sara was struck by a car in 2009 and killed. Her loss touched him deeply. Melvin was a very independent person and cherished his privacy and lifestyle. He was known as always having a smile and a passion for collecting recyclable items. Melvin had never married, and his family was often those he saw and talked with daily on his recycling route. He will be missed by many. Melvin was preceded in death by his mother Helen Deppmeier; his brother Alvin Deppmeier; and both sets of grandparents. He is survived by his father Lynn Deppmeier of Havre; his sister Marie (Steve) McCann of Boulder, MT; his brother Bernard (Celeste) of Lake Forest, CA; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.