Simpson, Melvin Orly Mike 1928-2023

SIMPSON, KOONS, DEHEER, KINART, MOUW, EVELETH, HAZELTON, WAGAMAN, LIVENTALS, EVELETH, TAYLOR, KINGERY, TALSMA

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 12/18/2023 at 14:00:52

Melvin Mike Simpson
December 2, 1928 - October 22, 2023

Melvin Orly “Mike” Simpson, formerly of Monroe, passed away Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the age of 94. A resident of Homestead Assisted Living since July of 2022, Mike took his last breath at Knoxville Hospital.

Mike was born in Rib Lake, Wisconsin to Sadie Mae (Koons) and Horace Orly Simpson on December 2, 1928. The family moved to Marion County in 1935, living in both the Cordova/Red Rock area and rural Monroe. He attended Monroe High School, graduating in 1947. He was a catcher on the baseball team (the only sport his dad allowed him to play), and loved sharing old stories.

From 1951-52, Mike served in the US Army during the Korean War. He was wounded in battle, later receiving the Purple Heart along with several other deserving medals.

Mike was united in marriage to Ina Fay DeHeer on August 23, 1952. Unto this union six children were born. They resided in rural Monroe before moving to town where they lived for over 60 years. He supported his family by working the majority of his career at PAG Seeds and as a Rural Letter Carrier.

His faith was extremely important to him, being ordained into the former RLDS, now Community of Christ Church. He took care of the church books for years, never using a calculator.

His servant heart led him to volunteer for several community services. He was a Boy Scout Master in Monroe where his two sons participated, on the Monroe food pantry, and senior housing board.

Mike enjoyed several hobbies including his beloved St. Louis Cardinals, gardening, playing cards, Mexican dominoes, word search puzzles, and drinking coffee while visiting with family and friends.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife of 71 years, a sister; Beryl Kinart of Monroe, six children; Steve Simpson of Pleasantville, Terrie Simpson of Honolulu, Sherrie (Tom) Mouw of Monroe, Kenny (Danyale) Simpson of Ottumwa, Anita Simpson (Martin Eveleth) of Prairie City, Lorri (Brian) Hazelton of Monroe, eleven grandchildren; Brian Simpson, Stacie (Brad) Wagaman, Greg Mouw, Heidi (Chad) Liventals, Joe Simpson, Jordan Simpson, Riley Eveleth, Reid (Jeremy) Taylor, Shannon Hazelton, Brandon (Jessica) Hazelton, Rand (Felicia) Hazelton, and fifteen great grandchildren.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Wilbur “Jack,” Charles “Ray,” Ernest, and Kenneth, a sister; Margaret “Clella” Kingery, and an infant brother and infant sister, a daughter-in-law Lu Anne Simpson, three grandchildren; Joshua Simpson, Taylor Talsma, and Korver Hazelton.

Funeral services will be held at the Monroe Presbyterian Church on Friday, October 27 at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow the service at Silent City Cemetery in Monroe. Following the burial, a coffeetime will be held back at the church. Visitation will take place at Coburn Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 PM.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Melvin, please visit our Tree Store.
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Events
OCT
26
Visitation
Thursday, October 26, 2023
5:00PM - 7:00PM
Coburn Funeral Homes - Monroe
602 N. Commerce
Monroe, IA 50170
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OCT
27
Funeral Service
Friday, October 27, 2023
1:00PM
Monroe Presbyterian Church
115 S Main St
Monroe, IA 50170
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OCT
23
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Final Resting Place
Silent City Cemetery
Cemetery Rd
Monroe, IA 50170 ~ The Coburn Funeral Home, Monroe, Iowa 22 Oct 2023.