Born in Saskatchewan, Melvin was the son of Charles and Alma Carpentier, and the fourth of 9 children. In 1930 the family moved to Little Smoky AB to homestead, and in 1936 they relocated to New Fish Creek. During WW II Melvin and three of his brothers, Glen, Lloyd, and Jimmy joined the forces. Being a farmer, Melvin filed on the land SE 26-72—22-W5, and he grew very good crops. He also did pulpwood work, and hauling with his truck. The first car Melvin owned was a 1928 Chev. He left New Fish Creek to live in High Prairie. Melvin was not married.
Source: Where the Red Willow Grew pp. 418 – 422