MELTON, William E. 1923-2002

MELTON, HINSON, ALVUNG, FESER, JACKSON, MRAZ, LEYERELE, DUFF, JEFFRIES

Posted By: Jeffrey R. Phillips (email)
Date: 1/13/2005 at 21:44:12

William Melton
By: 04/24/2002

October 31, 1923-April 20, 2002

ELDORA-William E. Melton, of Eldora, died of cancer at his home on Saturday, April 20, 2002, while under the care of North Central Iowa Hospice at Mason City. Private memorial services were held Tuesday, April 23 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Eldora. A memorial fund has been established to North Central Iowa Hospice.

William was born Oct. 31, 1923, in Centralia, Ill., to Claude and Mabel Hinson Melton. He graduated from high school in Centralia and attended Anderson College in Indiana a short time before entering the service. He served in the Burma-China-India Theater in World War II. On June 5, 1955, he married Mary Ann Alvung in Oelwein. He received his master's degree from Drake University in Des Moines and taught music in Oregon for several years. He taught music for 16 years in the Hampton school system and in the mid-70s he moved to Eldora where he owned and operated the Eldora Flower Shop with his wife for several years. He served as choir director of many churches he attended, drove a car for MICA, drove the C.O.A.T.S. courtesy car, and taught swimming lessons for the American Red Cross. He was a member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ and a lifetime member of Sinfonia National Music Fraternity. He was an amateur philosopher and enjoyed history.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann; two daughters, Mary Jean Feser of Manning, and Claudia Jackson of Des Moines; a son, William and wife, Debra Mraz of Minneapolis; three sisters, LaDonne Leyerele and Juanita Duff both of Centralia, and Beverly Jeffries and husband, Jim, of Florida; a brother, Robert Lee Melton, of Centralia; six grandchildren; and his mother-in-law, Frances Alvung of Eldora. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora, was in charge of arrangements.

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