Melvin (Mel) Jon Simon, of Staples, died May 9, 2010 at the St. Cloud Hospital, St. Cloud.

Funeral services were May 14, at the Sacred Hearth Catholic Church in Staples.

Arrangements were with the Brenny Funeral Home in Staples.

Melvin was born Dec. 12, 1940 in Brainerd, to Frankie and Lauretta Simon. He was raised north of Staples on the family farm.

He married Karen Carol Ruby on July 6, 1963 in Helena, Montana and they shared the next 47 years together. He was a member of the carpenters union, enjoyed fishing, hunting, welding, dancing, auctions and working in the yard. Some of Mel’s most enjoyed jobs were trucking, carpentry, buying and selling scrap iron and meeting people as a Wal-Mart greeter, he also worked as a logger, custodian, house mover and many other odd jobs.

Mel survived by his wife; three sons, John (Tanji) Simon, of Browerville; Daniel Simon, of Motley; David (fiancée-Nancy) Simon, of Staples; one daughter, Kristi (Scott) Deegan, of Staples; three sisters, Theresa Simon; Lucille (Pete) Schwengler; Heather Rose Simon; 13 grandchildren, one great-grandchild; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Raymond; one sister, Mary Lou; and an infant grandchild.

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