Melvin L. Bulock

Melvin L. “Mel” Bulock, of Devils Lake formerly of the Rock Lake, ND area passed away Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at his home in the loving care of his family and Mercy Hospice at the age of 95. Funeral Services for Mel will be held on Friday, August 27, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, Devils Lake with burial in the Devils Lake Cemetery. Rev. Marli Danielson will officiate. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with the family present from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Friday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral service. Serving as Casket Bearers for Mel will be Eric Bulock, Brent Bulock, Tim Kelly, Dylan Monteith, Graham Monteith and Norris Elshaug. Music will be provided by Tom Wade, soloist, congregational hymns and Lynda Pearson, organist. Melvin Leroy Bulock was born in Montevideo, Minnesota on March 27, 1915. At the age of five he moved to the Rock Lake, ND farming community and later graduated from Rock Lake High School in 1932. He married Jessie O’Brien on February 14, 1938 in Cando, ND and continued farming in the Rock Lake area until moving to Devils Lake in 1944. He worked for Great Northern Railroad and later operated Bell’s Transfer. In 1949 he established Mel’s Fairview Grocery which he operated until retirement in 1976. In 1978 he began working for Dakota Prairie Community Action Agency until his second retirement in 1989. Mel was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, past president of the Devils Lake Skating Club, Square Dance Club and a member of the Elks and Eagles Lodges. Mel was an avid and excellent fisherman and took four trips to Alaska, the last with his sons and grandsons in 2009. He enjoyed dancing and took up golf in his mid 70’s. In the 1950’s he was an announcer for local baseball and continued his support and enjoyment of local high school teams. He was a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Twins and followed the team broadcasts until his death. His name will be placed on the Twins Tradition Wall. Mel was preceded in death by his wife Jessie on February 15, 1986; grandson Scott Bulock and two sisters and three brothers. Mel is survived and will be sorely missed by sons Jerry (Patricia) Bulock of Mendon, Massachusetts and Rollie Bulock of Fargo, ND; daughters Judy (Patrick) Kelly of Kansas City, Missouri and Melissa (Rick) Monteith of Shoreview, Minnesota; eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren and his loving partner Linda Felchle who kept him young for 20+ years. Memorials may be directed to Mercy Hospice who took such wonderful care of our father, Mel.