Deur, Melvin Ernest 1921-2007

DEUR, TULS, DE JONG

Posted By: Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/26/2008 at 19:29:17

Melvin Ernest Deur was born on June 1, 1921, at Highland, Indiana. He was the fifth of seven children that were born to George and Henrietta Tuls Deur. The family relocated to Fremont, Michigan, where Mel attended the Fremont Christian Grade School.

Mel's father was a school teacher and they then relocated to Peoria, Iowa where he graduated from the Peoria Christian Grade School. As a young lad he worked hard as a farmhand.

In June of 1942 Mel was inducted into the Armed Services. Technician 4th Grade Melvin Deur served as an Army Ranger Radio Operator and was discharged from the United States Army in December of 1945.

Mel and Charlotte H. De Jong, a daughter of John A. and Grace (Vos) De Jong, were united in marriage at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church on December 26, 1945. To this union four children were born: Phyllis Joy, Grace Eileen, Robert Wayne and Dale Allen.

Following their marriage, Mel farmed with his father-in-law, John A. De Jong for a short time. He then entered the trucking business with Jacob Vander Molen and was later joined by his brother, Junior (Jupe) Deur. Mel was a part of Peoria Stockyards for 35 years. Mel then became a real estate agent for Home Realty in Pella, Iowa. He enjoyed this work and was privileged to work along side his two sons in the agency.

On Saturday evening, April 21, 2007, Mel passed away at the Hospice of Pella Comfort House at the age of 85 years, 10 months and 20 days.

Mel was preceded in death by his daughter, Grace E. Deur-Ver Meer, who died at the age of just 52 years on July 6, 2001.

Those who will cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Chum, three children and their spouses, Phyllis and Nelson Nibbelink of Bloomington, Minnesota, Grace Deur- Ver Meer, Bob and Pat (Groenenboom) Deur of Pella and Dale and Kathy (Terlouw) Deur of Pella, 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Of his original family Mel leaves his youngest brother and his wife, Allen and Grace Deur of Fremont, Michigan; a brother-in-law and his wife, Otto and Judy Vos of Pella; and two sisters-in-law: Wanda (Arthur) Deur of Muskegon, Michigan and Thressa (Junior) Deur of Pella. Beside his daughter, Grace Deur-Ver Meer.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents: George and Henrietta Deur; his parents-in-law: John A. and Grace Vos De Jong; the following sisters and brothers and their spouses: Esther and Jake Posthumus, Ruth (Otto) Vos, Arthur and Gladys Deur, Alida Deur and Junior Deur; and a sister-in-law and her husband, Irene (De Jong) and Henry Vander Linden.
Mel made profession of his faith at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church in Peoria, Iowa. At the time of his death he was using the gifts God gave him while serving and sharing his witness and faith at the Third Church in Pella, Iowa.

He was also a member of the Van Veen- Van Hemert American Legion Post No. 89 of Pella. Mel did not fail in his continuing to walk with the Lord and the 4 f 's that continued to sustain him were his faith, his family, his friends and of course food.

For those desiring they be given for Hospice of Pella or the Third Church Building Fund.

The Pella Chronicle, June 1, 2007