Ronald C. Melick

ANGELOW, BARRY, MARTIN, MELICK, PHILIPOSE, SPERFSLAGE, SWANSON

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 6/27/2024 at 15:04:23

Ronald C. Melick, 88, of Independence, IA, died on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at ABCM Rehabilitation Center – West Campus in Independence, IA.

Ronald was born on July 4, 1935, the son of Jesse D. and Ella (Swanson) Melick. He grew up in rural Jesup, IA, and graduated from Jesup High School in 1953. After he graduated Ron enlisted into the United States Army and served until 1955. He returned home to Iowa and went to work on his family farm. He was introduced to the love of his life, Shirlene M. Angelow, through family. They were married on June 21, 1958, at the Rowley Methodist Church in Rowley, IA. They made their home together on the Melick Farm just north of Independence, IA. There they raised their four daughters together.

Ron loved farming and spent the majority of his life caring for his land and animals. He enjoyed teaching his girls how to farm. He taught them many lessons on how to treat the land, animals, and others with care and respect.

For many years Ron commuted to Waterloo, IA to work for Rath Packing and John Deere. He loved to work and in retirement, Ron helped remodel and fix homes, worked as a maintenance man for B&D Services, and maintained multiple vegetable gardens. He often grew more food than he needed and often gave away vegetables to family, friends, and the Independence Food Bank.

He is survived by his four daughters; Roxane (Stephen) Barry, Plano, TX, Lori (Alan) Sperfslage, Alburnett, IA, Shelly (Rick) Martin, Independence, IA, and Pamela Melick, Marion, IA, four grandchildren; Alexa (Joel) Philipose, Ethan and Elizabeth Sperfslage, and Caleb (Brittany) Martin, three great-grandchildren; Elijah and Josiah Philipose, and Finley Martin, two brothers; Keith (Ruth) Melick, Independence, IA, and Kent (Jean) Melick, Cedar Falls, IA, and many nieces and nephews.

Ronald is preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Ella Melick, his wife, Shirline Melick, and a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Ann Melick.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, July 1, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Independence, IA. The burial will be held in Quasqueton, IA. A visitation will be held on Sunday, June 30th, from 5 PM until 7 PM at the Reiff Family Center – Funeral Home & Crematory in Independence, IA and an hour before the service on Monday at the church.