MELVIN HOOPS SR. Obituary

FORT BELKNAP - Melvin Hoops Sr., 67, died at his residence at Fort Belknap Agency on May 8, 2004 due to natural causes.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Red Whip Center with burial following at Pony Hill Cemetery. A wake will begin at 5 p.m. today and rosary

will be recited at 7 p.m. at the Red Whip Center.

Melvin was born on May 30, 1936, at Fort Belknap to Barney and Francis (Early) Hoops. He was raised in the valley area and attended Harlem Public Schools and the Cass Lake Bible School in Minnesota.

On Feb. 6, 1958, Melvin married Geraldine Earthboy. They had six children and later divorced. He married Shirley Campbell in 1981. Melvin and Shirley raised his granddaughter Brandi Hoops for several years.

Melvin was a carpenter and later was a ranch hand. He was the lead carpenter for various construction firms and worked on various ranches in Montana. He spent many years working for the Frey brothers, Clarence and Floyd.

Melvin's good-hearted and good-natured disposition allowed him to have a wide circle of friends. Everybody was his friend. In a material sense, Melvin was a simple humble man, but in a spiritual sense, he was a priceless value. People valued his friendship. Melvin also had a sense of humor. He was always good for a laugh and many of his friends have many, many stories to tell.

Melvin was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Martin, John, and Mabel Hoops; an infant son; and granddaughter, Winter Dawn Hoops.

Survivors include his sons Myron (Mary) Hoops of Boise, Idaho, and Melvin (Gina) Hoops; daughters, Audrey Hoops, Mary H. (Harlan) Mount, Julie (Dusty Schwenke) Hoops, Anna Hoops, all of Ft. Belknap; special nephew, John Hoops; special niece, Babe Ro Durand; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.