Melvin Clair Coleman, age 76, was born November 11, 1949, and passed December 13, 2025, peacefully at Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert, SK.

Melvin was the eldest son of Clair and Ruth (Dobson) Coleman. Other siblings are Marvin and Sylvia (Brad) Coleman; and a sister, Laura Simmonds (Tim Derr).

Melvin grew up in the Kilwinning district and attended Evergreen Country School. He finished his high school years attending the Leask High School.

This is where Melvin would meet the love of his life, Lorraine (Pischke) Coleman. The two soon became a couple ready to tackle the adventures of life together. They were wed on June 16, 1973, in Leask, SK. Blessings of a baby boy, Donavon Coleman arrived in November of 1973. Three years later a daughter, Angela (Coleman) Ferster arrived on scene. Melvin was a proud and patient father and a dedicated family man.

In his spare time when not working, Mel enjoyed fishing, camping, snowmobiling, and anything outdoors puttering away at something. He was a naturally gifted mechanic who could fix, alter, fabricate something from scratch. Especially on projects for his family, he would be determined to find solutions to problems. We could always count on him. Melvin also enjoyed travelling places with Lorraine; often meeting new friends along the way spending hours chatting.” Who was that?” we would ask. oh -so and so – I just met them he would respond with a smile.

Melvin was a “people person.” He liked to make things easier and better for those around him if he could. He had a big, kind heart and took pride in being someone his family and community could count on.

One of Melvins favourite roles was to spend time with his grandchildren. Hours were spent playing, driving golf carts around their acreage, having pit fires or chauffeuring boys to hockey games. Mel and Lorraine were dedicated hockey fans. Driving many miles in all sorts of weather to show up for the kids.

As far as jobs went, Melvin had a good hard-working attitude. He started employment in high school at Ted Fersters Blacksmith shop in Leask. Following that was mechanical work at Les Chinis’ Garage in Leask (which was more recently known as Banda’s Garage). Central Garage was fortunate to employ Mel for several years in Leask, where he worked on a variety of equipment.

Melvin partnered with Norman Mattock to open their own garage – “Leask Sales and Service” in the 1980’s. After some time, Mel went solo and ran a mobile mechanic business “Coleman Enterprises” for a number of years.

Before retirement, Mel spent many years in the agriculture field assisting John and Lillian Fabian, Thunder Ridge Farms, and Jay and Angela Fersters farm, put in and take off the crop.

Melvin enjoyed learning new things. He enrolled in the Sask Polytech Power Engineering Class 3 course for boiler maintenance a in his mid 60’s. The instructor thought he should stay on to teach the course as he understood it so well and often explained things to his classmates who needed help.

Melvin worked for the Saskatchewan Health Authority at the Shellbrook Hospital once completed in the maintenance department. Additionally, he took on the role of maintenance person for the Mistawasis Church manse for many years.

Melvin was predeceased by his parents: Clair and Ruth (Dobson) Coleman.

He leaves to mourn his loving wife of 52 years, Lorraine (Pischke) Coleman; His children: Donavon (spouse Colleen) Coleman and their children Ryan Coleman, Eric Coleman (Darby),  Robin Schade, Sarah Schade(Daniel) and River, Tiffany(spouse Kyle) and Beau, Angela(spouse Jay Ferster) and their children, Nolan Ferster( fiancé Emily Lapierre), Austin Ferster(fiancé Mya Sommerfeld), Taylor Ferster, as well as numerous cousins ,nieces , and nephews.

The family will have a private Celebration of Life at a later date.

Memorial donations may be directed to Heart and Stroke Foundation (1738 Quebec Ave. Unit 26, Saskatoon SK. S7K 1V9) and Prince Albert SPCA (Box 1832 Prince Albert SK. S6V 6J9)

Family and friends wishing to send online condolences are welcome to visit www.beaulacfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Beau “Lac” Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lynn Anderson Funeral Director, Shellbrook, SK 306-747-2828.

• Date : 2025-12-13
• Location : Shellbrook, SK