John Clarence Melby 1891- 1976

MELBY, LARSON, NELSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/1/2014 at 12:31:30

Onawa Democrat
23 September 1976

John Clarence Melby, age 85, passed away at the Pleasant View Nursing Home at Whiting, Iowa, where he had resided the past seven months. He was a lifelong resident of the Soldier, Iowa, area prior to his stay at the nursing home.

He was born at Moorhead, Iowa, on July 29, 1891, and his parents were Chris Melby and Carrie Larson Melby. He was united in marriage to Sadie Nelson at Onawa on October 16, 1912, and the couple made their home near Soldier where John was engaged in farming. He also was employed by the town of Soldier for many years. His wife preceded him in death on May 27, 1975. John was a member of the Soldier Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his three sons, Milton Melby and Howard Melby, both of Soldier, and Cleo Melby of Castana, Iowa, and his two daughters, Mrs. Earl (LaVerne) Rustin of Soldier and Mrs. Morris (Deloris) Rustin of Whiting. There are 21 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his wife, two daughters, one son, two granddaughters, two grandsons, four brothers and three sisters.

Services were 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, 1976, at the Soldier Lutheran Church, Soldier, Iowa, with Pastor William G. Carter officiating. The organist, Mrs. Harry Andersen accompanied the men's quartet: Gene Brenden, James Severson, Gordon Foss, and Gordon Swenson in the selections, "How Great Thou Art" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee".

Bearers were Terry Melby, Harvey Leisinger, Donald Rustin, Roger Melby, Eugene Melby, Bryan Melby, Kevin Melby, and Russell Melby.

Interment was in the Soldier Lutheran Church Cemetery, Soldier, Iowa, with arrangements by Pearson Funeral Home, Soldier, Iowa.