Melvin Earl Champlin

2019-11-26T12:24:45-06:00
Navy Badge
  • Name: Melvin Earl Champlin
  • Location of Birth: Grand Rapids, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: August 27, 1912
  • Date of Death: May 20, 1999
  • Parents: George Champlin & Minnie (Riley) Champlin
  • High School and Class:
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: MM3 (Machinist's Mate Petty Officer 3rd Class)
  • Branch: Navy
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: October 29, 1943
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: December 4, 1945
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Melvin Earl Champlin
    Race: White
    Age: 28
    Birth Date: August 27, 1912
    Birth Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca
    Residence Place: Calumet, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
    Registration Date: 1940
    Employer: Interstate Iron Co., Calumet, Itasca, Minnesota
    Weight: 150
    Height: 5-10
    Complexion: Sallow
    Eye Color: Blue
    Hair Color: Brown
    Next of Kin: Edith A. Champlin, wife, Calumet, Itasca, Minnesota

    Melvin served with the Sea Bees in the Pacific Theatre during World War II

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Melvin Champlin was a life-long resident of Itasca County, Minnesota. He attended Greenway High school in Coleraine. He lived his early years in Bovey, Coleraine, and Marble; from 1934 to 1969 in the Calumet area; from 1969 to 1991 in the Pokegama Lake area; and from 1991 to 1999 in Grand Rapids. He had been a maintenance mechanic for J & L Steel, retiring after 40 years of service. Melvin married Edith Harrington in Grand Rapids in 1934. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie 2469 of Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids VFW Post 1720, a former member of the Calumet VFW Post 3898, the Grand Rapids American Legion and was a WW II Navy Veteran serving with the Sea Bees in the Pacific theater.

    Melvin died in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and is buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Coleraine, Minnesota (Block 138). He is survived by his wife, Edith; two sons, William (Diane) Champlin and James Champlin; daughter, Sheryl (Earl) Rudduck; 13 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ada Romero. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Minnie Champlin; three sisters, Marian Champlin, Loa Lind, and Marguerite Lassie; three brothers, Leo, George, and Oliver.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy