Melecio Chapoy Maldonado

Melecio Chapoy Maldonado, son, father, brother, husband, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, age 74 of Chubbuck, Idaho passed away in his home on Tuesday April, 25th, 2023.

Mel was born on November 19th, 1948 in Acuna, Mexico to Elvira Nerio. As a child Mel and his family moved to Texas. And as a young adult he worked on ranches throughout Texas and Idaho. He was drafted to the Vietnam War on January 10th, 1969. He earned the Purple Heart//Army Commendation Medal//Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation//Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation// Army Good Conduct Medal//Vietnam Service Medal With Three Bronze Service Stars// Honorably Discharged in 1975.

On August 26th, 1972 he married the love of his life Maria Arrezola in Pocatello, and briefly lived in Del Rio Texas before returning back to Pocatello. They were married for twenty-six years until Maria’s passing in 1998. They had three children together, Manuel, Moises and Monica Maldonado. His fourth child, Mel Maldonado Jr. Was born in 2004. He worked several years at Bucyrus-Erie Mining in Pocatello, Idaho before working at the Idaho State Transportation Department where he retired from. He was also a member of the Bannock County Search and Rescue for several years and a volunteer for the Chubbuck Volunteer Fire Department where he met several of his lifelong friends. Mel enjoyed being outdoors hunting, fishing and camping with his family. A few of his favorite family spots were hunting at Cow Camp in Bancroft, Idaho and fishing with his grandkids at Chesterfield Reservoir in Idaho.

Mel is survived by his children Manuel (Rainbow) Maldonado of Pocatello, Idaho, Moises (Karalee) Maldonado of Chubbuck, Idaho, Monica (Ginny) Maldonado of Chubbuck, Idaho, Mel Maldonado Jr. of Chubbuck, Idaho. Grandsons Miguel (Elizabeth) Maldonado of Pocatello, Idaho, Devin (Mikayla) Bassett of Pocatello, Idaho, Dante (Brianna), Maldonado of Pocatello, Taylor Bassett of Chubbuck, Idaho, Kaylob Maldonado of Chubbuck, Idaho, Jurnee (Trista) Lucero of Pocatello, Idaho, Yzabella Lucero of Pocatello, Idaho, Maddox Maldonado of Pocatello, Idaho. Great Grandchildren Darwin Lucero and Baby Bassett of Pocatello, Idaho. He is also survived by his three younger sisters, Elva (Ray) Cardenas of Pocatello, Idaho, Ruby Curtis of Pocatello, Idaho, and Martha (Trinidad) Cervantes of Shelly, Idaho. As well several cousins, nephews, nieces.

Mel was proceeded in death by, his parents, Elvira Chapoy and Jose Juan Nerio, and his brother Jose Maldonado and wife Maria Arrezola Maldonado.

Family and friends are invited to join in a Celebration of Life and Military Honors that will be held at upper Ross Park Pavilion, 3101 Avenue of the Chiefs in Pocatello, Idaho on Saturday, May 13th, starting at 2:00pm.

A sincere thank you to all of our friends and family during this time and a special thank you to Wilks Funeral Home located in Chubbuck, Idaho for their compassion, dignity and honorable service during this time.

The Maldonado family would like to express their appreciation for all the friends and family who have sent flowers to them during this difficult time.  They would like such beautiful tributes to be shared at Mel's Celebration of Life, and request that any future orders of flowers be delivered on May 13 to be enjoyed by everyone.