Melvin Newsom, 87, Bismarck, formerly of Hurdsfield, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Sanford Health in Bismarck. His funeral will be held Saturday, October 25, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hurdsfield Community Center in Hurdsfield with burial at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Hurdsfield. Visitation will be from 12:00 noon until service time at the community center on Saturday. Arrangements with Nelson Funeral Home of Fessenden.

Melvin Newsom, son of Gabriel and Blanche (Kennedy) Newsom, was born July 27, 1927 near Hurdsfield where he was raised and attended country school. As a young man he farmed with his father, later taking over the family farm. In addition to farming, Melvin worked at a local gas station for a number of years.

On March 2, 1976 he was married to Thelma Amundson Wentz in Dickinson. They made their home in Bismarck where Melvin worked for Schultz Creamery as a maintenance man and later a truck driver until the business closed. He worked for Capital City Foods for 6 years and Mandan High School Community Center in maintenance for 5 years. He then operated a small lawn care business for several years.

Melvin enjoyed being around people and visiting. He loved attending auctions and was an avid collector of key chains, pins and other items. Melvin could usually be found tinkering with something that needed fixing. He also spent many hours at Buckstop Junction where he worked as a volunteer.

He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma; his parents; and 4 sisters, Florence and Hildred Newsom, Beverly Olson and Marian Cromwell.