Melvin Eaton, age 72 of Lead SD, died Thursday, March 12, 2026 at the Denver Hospice Center in Denver CO, following a hard-fought battle against cancer.

The funeral service will be held 10:30am Friday, March 20, 2026 at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, with John Rehmeier officiating. There will be no visitation. Interment will take place in Pine Slope Cemetery. Following the funeral, Melvin's service can be viewed on the link below.

Melvin Wayne Eaton was born May 4, 1953 in Red Elm South Dakota. He was the son of Wesley and Barbara (Pesicka) Eaton. Melvin was the middle child of seven children, and he grew up on the family ranch near Red Elm. Melvin attended a country school near Red Elm and graduated from Faith High School. In high school, he excelled in athletics. He was a 5-sport letterman and in 1971 he won the SDHSRA All Around Cowboy. He rodeoed in his early years winning the SDRA Bull Riding Championship in 1972, 1974, and 1976. In 1974 he also was the NRCS Champion Bull Rider. In 1975 he graduated from Black Hills State University with a B.S. Degree in Industrial Arts. Melvin was united in marriage to Cathy Birkeland in 1974. To this union three children were born: Marty, Jaime, and Wayne. In 1975, Melvin started work as a contractor, which he did most of his lifetime, along with ranching land developer. In 1978 Melvin and Cathy moved to Belle Fourche where they raised their family. They later divorced.

Melvin constructed many houses in the Belle Fourche area, and he always took great pride in creating energy efficient homes. He had a strong work ethic and he raised his children teaching them core principles that he valued.

On December 20, 2014, Melvin was united in marriage to Denise Laforce in Lead, SD. Together they were blessed with almost 12 years of marriage. During those years, Denise’s medical career took them to Alaska, Washington, Kansas, New Mexico, and Arizona. Lead SD was always home however. The house they lived in there was the last one Melvin built. Traveling was something Melvin and Denise enjoyed. And wherever they went, Melvin always had to find a place to take Denise swing dancing or country two-stepping.

Melvin is survived by his wife Denise Laforce and her family: daughter, Marsha; granddaughter, Mia, great grandsons, Eli and Fin; Melvin’s children: Marty (Kurt) Leibel; Jaime (Jason) Fearing, Wayne (Tessa) Eaton; grandchildren, Karsten, Kameron, Kipton Leibel, Taylor, and Layne Fearing; Ryan (Alex), Halle, Taiten Eaton; great grandson, Ryder Eaton; siblings, Judy (Dave) Gano, Jim (Candy) Eaton, Wendy Blunt; sisters-in-law, Laurie Eaton, Sharon Eaton, and Cindy Eaton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Merton, Kenny, and Levi; Nephew, Richard Eaton; and Niece, Tanya Gano.