Melvin Cummings

Melvin Nicholas Cummings was born December 30, 1936 to Mary Ann Larvie Smith and LeRoy Cummings at Pine Ridge, SD. He made his journey to the spirit world on March 27, 2020 at Winner Regional Hospital, Winner, SD, at the age of 83.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ruth Ann Horton Cummings, children: Nicholas (Patty), James, Lori (Bob) Bolzer and Janet Weaver; grandchildren Tammy (Wes) Bailey, Tommy, Bailey and Nicholas Cummings Jr, Melvin Blaine Cummings, Krista Cummings, Jill Bolzer, Mollie Toman, Bryan Cummings, and Cody Weaver. Also survived by Beau Fry and Jamie Fry and seven great-grandchildren. Melvin was so proud of his kids, grandkids and great grandkids. Melvin is also survived by brothers Doug Cummings, Arnold Cummings, Frank Cummings, Delbert Cummings and Ben Cummings.

Melvin was preceded in death by parents Mary Ann and LeRoy Cummings; sisters Joyce Salway, Geraldine Salazar and Mary Jane Gilmore; brothers Robert, LeRoy Jr, Peter, George, Patrick and Randy Cummings, and one beautiful granddaughter Nichole Marie Cummings.

Melvin served the people of Pine Ridge Reservation all of his life. He was a OST Council representative from Wounded Knee District, a district officer, member of Oglala Lakota Livestock Grower & Land Owner Association, Lacreek Electric Board of Directors, Shannon County School Board member, OST Allocation Committee member, OST Partnership for Housing Board member, Mazaska Board member, Lakota Federal Credit Union Board member, Lakota Fund Board member, OST Honor Farm and Ranch Board member  and Wounded Knee Electronics Board member. He was also a successful rancher near Manderson for 59 years and appreciated his children and wife for their work to keep the ranch going. He will be missed by many.

Private family burial was held on Wednesday April 1, 2020 at the Martin Catholic Cemetery, Martin, SD. A celebration of Life will be held Saturday July 31, 2021, 10:30 AM, at Nick Cummings ranch, 1/2 mile south of Manderson, SD.