TALLOW Melvin

March 19, 1961 ~ December 10, 2012
MELVIN NEAL TALLOW, beloved husband of the late Laura Day Rider, passed away suddenly on December 10, 2012 at Moses Lake on the Blood Reserve. Melvin leaves behind his adopted children: Kendra, Titus, Tyrese, Nancy and Sonny Day Rider Jr.; his sisters Patsy, Brenda Chief Moon, Carrie (Kevin ) Black Plume; his brother Aaron Tallow;
Also his adopted siblings Trina, Charlotte, Clinton, Calvin and Leonard Tallow-Crow Chief. adopted siblings include Patrick (Alva), Allen (Janet) Black Plume, Vincent, Andrea Holy Singer, Andy Black Plume, Les (Shalane) Wolf Child, Robin Cat Face; adopted parents John (Irma) Wolf Child and Charlie (Betty) Crow Chief, Lucy Black Plume, Mary Ann Holy Singer and Sonny Black Plume; his uncles; Marcel, Bernard (Agnes), Jerome, and Ambrose Shouting Jr.; aunts, Mae (Pete Knife) Tallow, Pauline Tallow and Joan (Joe) White Man Left; nieces and nephews Pamela Black Plume, Patrick (Sophia), Leslie (Carla) Tallow, Terrie, Jodie, Jordan Jr. (Jolaine), Lacey (Ross) Chief Moon, Gillian Wolf Plume, Kelsey, Cameron Tallow, Tara, Mallory, Eldon, Dallas, Denver Hind Bull; goddaughters Cassondra Cat Face, Chelsea Day Rider; many relatives, Tallow, Shouting, Fox, Holy Singer, Calf Robe, Small Eyes, Heavy Shields, English, Sharp Adze, Crow Chief, Mountain Horse, Day Rider, Willows, Cochrane, Oka, Red Crow, and Pipestem families; many friends and staff at the Moses Lake Shelter where he spent the last years of his life. They were non-judgemental and valued Melvin’s friendly and humble nature.
Melvin was predeceased by his wife Laura Day Rider; parents, Morris Shouting Sr. and Queenie Tallow, Sister Terry Tallow; brother Morris Shouting Jr.; adopted brother Bobby Holy Singer; his grandparents Ambrose Sr. and Maggie Shouting and Mark and Helen Tallow; his step grandfather, Henry Cochrane; his sister-in-law, Caroline Hind Bull; brother-in-laws, Gilbert Wolf Plume and Jordan Chief Moon Sr; his nephew Stanford Tallow and many other aunts, uncles, and cousins too numerous to mention.
Upon the passing of his parents, Melvin at the age of eight years old was traditionally adopted by his late aunt Della Tallow and his uncle Charlie Crow Child. He was raised and loved unconditionally as their youngest son. He attended Cardston Elementary School and Junior High School. Later as a young man Melvin spent many cherished moments with his grandparents and aunt Mary Ann Holy Singer whom he considered as his Mom in Moses Lake. Melvin was a talented athlete. He was the Back Catcher for the Lavern Braves and goalie for the Lavern Swedes. His other favourite passion was playing Handgames and he travelled the circuit throughout Alberta with his adopted parents John and Irma Wolf Child and Hand Game partner Darren Small Eyes. Melvin was employed at Kainai Industries, Bayshore Inn and Prince of Wales Hotels in Waterton Lakes. He also worked as a contractor with Blood Tribe Housing and also worked at the Moses Lake Shelter.
A Wake Service will be held at the Moses Lake Gym on Wednesday, Dec. 19th, 2012 from 7:00 p.m. and continue all night. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Blood Reserve on Thursday, Dec 20th at 11 a.m. with Reverend Michael Tipper officiating. Interment in Pioneer Cemetery.
Legacy Funeral Homes Ltd.
P.O. Box 208
Cardston, Alberta T0K 0K0
Phone (403) 653-3222
Fax (403) 653-3677
legacyfh@telus.net