Melvin F. Rabine, 92, of Sun City West, Ariz., formerly of Dexter and Rochester, died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011, at Marley Park Home Care in Surprise, Ariz.

Melvin Fred Rabine was born Aug. 25, 1919, in Dexter, Minn., to Lapolt and Bertha (Laskowski) Rabine. He attended Dexter Grade School and graduated from Elkton High School. On Dec. 1, 1940, he married Bernice Cooper at her parent’s home in Dexter. Melvin served in the Army during World War II, from 1942 to 1945. He was stationed in Germany with a field artillery unit. After his discharge, he returned to Dexter and worked for Hormel in Austin until 1950. He then became a rural mail carrier for the Dexter Post Office and also owned and operated the Rabine Standard Station in Dexter until retiring in 1975. After his retirement, he worked with his daughters at Meadow Lane Ceramics in Stewartville, Minn. The couple moved to Rochester in 1990 and lived at Shorewood from 2001 until September of this year when they moved to Sun City West. Melvin enjoyed boating, fishing, and water skiing at the family’s trailer on Lake Pepin in Lake City for many years. He also enjoyed traveling. He was a lifelong member of the Dexter United Methodist Church and a member of the American Legion for more than 50 years.

Survivors include his wife, of 71 years, Bernice of Sun City West; daughters, Marilyn (Gary) Smith of Rochester and Lynette (Curtis) Utpadel of Sun City West; six grandchildren, Michael Smith, Heidi Dieter, Mishawn Kalkman, Jessica Hudella, and Alysia Zarbo, two step-grandchildren, Curtis Utpadel Jr., and Phillip Utpadel; 18 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

Melvin was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Tanya; four sisters and one brother.

The memorial service will be 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011, at Dexter United Methodist Church with Chaplain Kenneth Beale, Senior Chaplain, Fort Snelling Memorial Chapel officiating. Burial will be in Dexter Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before the service at the Church.

Mahn Family Funeral Home – Rochester Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.