Melvin P. Reeves

Melvin Reeves, age 95, of Watertown, SD, passed away on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at Prairie Lakes Healthcare.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, at Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD. Pastor Scott Bloomquist will officiate.  The funeral service will be live-streamed and recorded via our website. 

Visitation will be prior to services at the chapel on Monday starting at 9:30 a.m.

Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Watertown.

Melvin was born on May 17, 1931, in Winfield, KS, to William and Edna (Dye) Reeves. He graduated from Udall High School with the class of 1949. 

On November 22, 1975, Melvin married Pam Ohnstad in Cedar Rapids, IA. 

Melvin worked in the concrete construction business his whole life, starting out as a mechanic and then working his way up to managing multi-million-dollar projects throughout the U.S.  A few of Melvin’s accomplishments as he "paved a path" for all included the first interstate by Beresford, Sioux City, and Council Bluffs, now known as I-29. He also paved Broadway Street in Yankton. He worked on several major airports, including Denver International, John Wayne, LAX, Sky Harbor, and Colorado Springs. Melvin paved highways deep in the mountains of Oregon, in the Siskiyou Mountains, otherwise known as Interstate 5, and several water canals throughout the West Coast.

During Mel’s free time he enjoyed the company of his family at various campgrounds, spending time fishing and hunting. Mel also spent countless hours doing restorative work on classic cars and pickups. Mel served his current church, Prairie Lakes Baptist, in many capacities: as an ordained deacon, former treasurer, building maintenance worker, groundskeeper, etc. He enjoyed Dairy Queen Blizzards, hamburgers, french fries, oatmeal raisin cookies, and popcorn. Mel had a lifelong commitment to the Kansas City Chiefs and has genetically passed that love to his kids, grandkids, and great grandchildren.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pam Reeves, of Watertown; one son, Todd (Lisa) Reeves, of Yankton, SD; grandchildren, Lance (Medea) Reeves, Aaron (Sarah) Reeves, Ethan Reeves, Matt Reeves, Lynzee Reeves, and Jacob (Jen) Reeves; great-grandchildren, Hayden Reeves, Elijah Reeves, Zander Reeves, Lucas Reeves, Ella Reeves, Norah Reeves, and Bronx Reeves.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Jackie Reeves; twin sisters, Maye Metzinger and Faye Koenke; brothers-in-law, Gene Metzinger and Cleo Koenke; and daughter-in-law, Carol Reeves.

Arrangements by Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel www.crawfordosthus.com Watertown and Hayti

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