Mel Daniel

Melvin Richard "Mel" Daniel, Sr., 84, of Idaho Falls, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on October 25, 2016, at MorningStar Senior Living Center. Mel and his twin brother, Marvin Raymond Daniel, were born May 26, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to J Homer and Zelma Daniel and were the youngest of six children. Mel is survived by his wife, Barbara Ann (Williams) Daniel, who was the love of his life for 65 years. Together, they had three children, Dennis, Carrie, and Melvin, Jr. In 1953, Mel joined the Hazel Park, Michigan, Police Department. He was known as “Deadeye Daniel” and was recognized as one of the finest marksmen in the country. As the department’s Range Officer, Mel instructed Hazel Park officers in the fine art of marksmanship. Rising to the rank of Lieutenant, Daniel retired from law enforcement in 1982. In 1984, Mel and Barbara moved from Michigan to Idaho Falls to be near their son and his family. It was there that he came out of retirement and took a position as a security officer for Bechtel at the INL site. Embracing the western way of life, Mel had a love for horses and was involved in the Jefferson County Mounted Sheriff's Posse, a non-profit dedicated to search and rescue, equine awareness and charity events to support the community. He loved the outdoors, enjoyed taking his grandchildren on horseback riding trips and was an enthusiastic sportsman in hunting and fishing. Mel was an avid collector and was most proud of his antique car collection. He lived his life for the Lord and had a tender heart full of compassion for those in need. As a devout man of faith, he spent many years in the fellowship ministry at the Bonneville County Jail and was active in his church. Mel touched many lives through his ministry, which was his ultimate calling in life. Mel was preceded in death by his parents, J Homer and Zelma (White) Daniel of Hazel Park, MI; sisters, Dorris (the late Wilbur) Milby of Temecula, CA, and Donna (the late John) Doctor of Bloomfield Hills, MI. He is survived by his sister, Mary Louise (the late Al) Picard of Warren, MI; brother, Robert (Marilee) Daniel of Sun City, CA, and twin brother Marvin (Arlene) Daniel of Aiken, SC. He is the beloved father of Dennis Daniel of Shasta Lake, CA, Melvin Daniel, Jr., of Idaho Falls, ID, and Carrie Daniel, of Jackson, WY. Adored grandpa of David Daniel, Jacqueline (Matt) Watson, Nicole, Nicholas and Kaitlyn Daniel, and great-grandpa of Jamison Daniel and Mia and Josephine Watson. Graveside Funeral Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2016, at the Grant-Central Cemetery, 165 North 3300 East, Idaho Falls. The family will visit with friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Ave., Idaho Falls. Law Enforcement Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Department.

Graveside Services will be held