Albuquerque Journal - June 3, 1998
Melvin Robert Lei, 70, died Sunday, May 31, 1998 at his home in Rio Rancho. He was born on February 25, 1928, in Sydney, NE, a son of Alex G. and Eva Behm Lei. On January 18, 1989, he married Jesusita G. Celo ("Suzette"), in Makati, Manila, in the Philippine Islands. Melvin was raised in Brush, CO, and lived and worked in Padroni, CO for many years before moving to Rio Rancho. Survivors include his beloved wife,"Suzette;" and adopted daughters, Jave and Maria Jarryd; father, Alex G. Lei (a resident of Sedgwick Memorial Hospital, Julesburg, CO); six brothers; and three sisters, Lorraine (Bob) Shelton, of Sedgwick, CO, Arnold of Lincoln, NE, Caroline Dechant of Las Vegas, NV, Harvey and his wife of Olympia, WA, Gerald (Pauline) of Denver, CO, James (Liz) of Sedgwick, CO, Ernest (Janice) of Lantana, FL, Roland (Carla) of Aurora, CO, Marilyn Law of Julesburg, CO; a foster daughter,"Luz" Otero of Brush, CO; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Eva Behm Lei (1989); and his brother, Herbert (1997). He will be dearly missed by Nick and Eva DeMien, Bill and Ophelia Schwengel, all of Albuquerque. Services will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church, 305 Unser Blvd. (at Abrazo Rd.), Rio Rancho, NM, on Friday, June 5, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. L. K. Hagen will officiate. Burial will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Albuquerque, NM. Memorial contributions can be made to Calvary Lutheran Church. Burial arrangements by Direct Services 343-8008, 4501 4th St. NW.