MELVIN BLAISDELL

JOSHUA, Texas – Melvin Blaisdell, 84, passed away peacefully with family holding his hand on Saturday, February 18, 2017.A memorial service with full military honors was held on Sunday February 26th in the small country cemetery of Caddo Peak with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren present. A marker will be placed at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta Maine later in the Spring, where his wife Shirley May Lester Blaisdell is buried. Melvin also known as “Mel” was born February 22, 1932 in Fort Fairfield, Aroostook County, Maine to Merle Melvin Blaisdell and Lillian Cummings Comer. After the passing of his mother he traveled with his father Merle, throughout New England until they finally bought and settled on Marsh Island (now Vail Island) just off the shores of Long Island, Maine. There Melvin met his wife Shirley, married and after the passing of his father enlisted in the United States Air Force. After a 20 year career with the Air Force, he moved his family back to Maine to Old Orchard Beach. There he was a lobsterman and born again minister for the next 43 years. Recently Melvin moved to Joshua Texas to live with his two eldest daughters and their families. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters, wife, Shirley May Lester Blaisdell and his sister in the Lord, Doris May Thomes. Survivors: Melvin is survived by three daughters Kathryn May Blaisdell Ford, Yvonne Marie Blaisdell Mann and husband Gary Austin Mann, Bonnie Michelle Blaisdell Buntin; three sons Steven Merle Blaisdell and Christine Dunbar girlfriend, Lester (Les) Melvin Blaisdell and wife Janet Mae Slagle Blaisdell, and Billy Joe (BJ) Martin Blaisdell and Virna Troillo fiancée; 17 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild and many, many precious friends. A service of Giberson-Dorsey  Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com