Book, Melvin (1923 - 2017)

BOOK, SCHRAEDER, REMINGTON, KENKEL, GAUL, SNELL, BLUM, WEIS, BOHON, KLEIN, HEESE, STESSMAN

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 7/22/2017 at 21:39:58

Name of deceased: Melvin (“Mel”) Joseph Book

Aged: 94 yrs, 4 mo, 10 days

Residence: Earling, IA

Born: Feb. 26, 1923; Westphalia, IA

Died: July 6, 2017; Myrtue Medical Center, Harlan, IA

Funeral services: Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, July 10, 2017; St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Portsmouth, IA; burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portsmouth, IA

Survived by: Wife, Bernice, of Earling, IA; children, Gary Book (spouse, Jane) of Manson, IA, Terry Book (spouse, Joyce) of Plattsmouth, NE, Denny Book (spouse, Dianne) of Walnut, IA, Joe Book (spouse, Cheryl) of Woodbine, IA, Bob Book (partner, Sharon Stessman) of Portsmouth, IA, Randy Book of Omaha, NE, Jim Book (spouse, Colleen) of Battle Mountain, NV, Mary Jo (spouse, Mark) Schraeder of Olathe, KS, Becky Remington of Lincoln, NE, Gloria (spouse, Jack) Kenkel of Earling, IA, Tom Gaul (spouse, Carol) of McCausland, IA, Alice (spouse, David) Snell of Blandinsville, IL, Rick Gaul (spouse, Marietta) of Earling, IA, Jeff Gaul (spouse, Mary) of Council Bluffs, IA, Janet (spouse, Phil) Blum of Earling, IA, and Diane (spouse, Dave) Weis of Omaha, NE; 44 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; siblings, Eileen Bohon of Roswell, NM, Donald Book (spouse, Nel) of Spokane, WA, Duane Book (spouse, Lois) of Fort Lupton, CO, and Walter Book of Phoenix, AZ; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Joseph and Josephine (nee Klein) Book; first wife, Margaret; siblings, Urban Book, Gail Book, Richard Book, Russell Book, and Ronald Book; son-in-law, Michael Remington

Education: attended school in Westphalia, IA; graduated from St. Boniface High School, Westphalia, IA, Class of 1941

Religious affiliation: Catholic

Military service: did not serve due to the death of his parents when he was 18 and forced to help raise the family.

Marriages: (1) Margaret Heese; Jan. 23, 1946; Earling, IA (2) Bernice (nee Stessman) Gaul; April 15, 1997; Portsmouth, IA

Employment: farmer, but did play semi-pro baseball for several years with the Chicago Cubs organization

Hobbies/Interests: big band dancing; playing cards; baseball, particularly the Chicago Cubs; travel

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; pauleyjones.com