VALENTINE, Melvin R. 1947-2012

VALENTINE, REGISTER, POMMREHN, VAN DORN, WHITESELL, DAVIS, CHURCHILL

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/21/2012 at 00:09:12

Melvin R. (Mel) Valentine, 65, of Waterloo, Iowa, died at his home Tuesday, September 11, 2012, of lung cancer as a result of exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam.

Mel was born April 26, 1947 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, the son of Ray and Genny Register Valentine.

He married Linda Pommrehn on June 7, 1968 at St. Matthews by the Bridge Episcopal Church in Iowa Falls.

He graduated from Des Moines East High School in 1965 and received a BA in Social Work from UNI in 1987. Mel served in the 101st Airborne 327th Infantry during Viet Nam. He worked at John Deere for 30 years retiring in 2002. He had served on the Local 838 Employee Assistance Program Committee for 24 years; Amalgamated Chair for 4 years; author and main contributor of UAW Local 838, Our History published in 1978.

He was an active member of Trinity Episcopal Parish where he served as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector, Vestry member, Sunday School teacher, and helped organize and give homilies at the monthly Recovery Mass. He was a 35-year AA member; a member of the American Legion, National Order of the Purple Heart, and Disabled American Veterans.

For several years Mel reconnected with the men he served with in the 101st Airborne in Viet Nam – his band of brothers – at the annual reunion in Crossville, Tennessee. Mel was an ardent fisherman, enjoyed an occasional game of Texas Hold'em and spending time with friends; but especially being with his grandchildren, children, and Linda.

Mel is survived by his wife Linda of Waterloo; daughters: Wendy (Scott Van Dorn) Valentine of Iowa Falls, Melinda (Kevin Davis) Valentine Davis of Waterloo, and Amanda (Nate Whitesell) Valentine of Waterloo; six grandchildren: Joseph Repp, Spencer Davis, Logan Davis, Isabella Davis, Hope Valentine, and one on the way. Also survived by a brother Robert (LouAnn) Valentine of Pelion, South Carolina, and a sister Susan (Rick) Churchill of Charlotte, North Carolina.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

SOURCE: Locke Funeral Home

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See photo of Melvin's grave marker on Iowa GPP, buried at Waterloo Memorial Park Cemetery.

Iowa GPP
 

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