Montgomery, Melvin L. - 1933-2024

GRIFFEY, JENSEN, MILLIGAN, MONTGOMERY, PADGETT, SCHMIDT, STRICKLAND, UPCHURCH

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 8/8/2024 at 14:18:01

Melvin L. Montgomery, 90, passed away at Newton Care Center in Newton, Iowa on July 29, 2024. A private family burial will take place in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Melvin was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa on December 4, 1933, to Orville and Lena (Ruby) Montgomery. He grew up in Oskaloosa and graduated from Oskaloosa High School.
Melvin married the love of his life, Elaine on April 8, 1956, at the First Christian Church in Oskaloosa, Iowa. They farmed together, later moving to Haverhill, then rural Baxter, Iowa to continue farming. They moved into the town of Baxter in the 1960's and remained there until 2020 when they moved to Newton Health Care Center.
While growing up, Melvin was very active. Melvin played basketball for the Mahaska 4-H Cage Title games and was recognized for his “beautiful one-handed shots.” He was also player of the Softball “All Stars.” His love for the agricultural community came from growing up helping his father on the farm and raising steers. They both participated in father-son steer competitions. Melvin and his father participated in the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado, the Southwestern Livestock show in Fort Worth, Texas. Melvin was an officer of the Mahaska county boys 4-H organization, vice president of the Mahaska farm bureau young people and was presented a 4-H Top Boys’ award during his active participation with 4-H. He was also the Grand Champion of the Mahaska Baby Beef Competition; won the Mahaska State Fair competition; won the big junior steer show at the Iowa State Fair; set a record for highest sale of Grand Champion Steer and many more honors!
This journey led Melvin to becoming an official auctioneer and in the 1960’s Montgomery Auction Services was formed. In his 50 plus years, there wasn’t much Melvin hasn’t auctioned off but auctioning the annual football players auctions, church and fire department, Salvation Army and other fund raisers that he donated his time to always had a special place in his heart.
Later in life, Melvin coached softball and was known as “Coach Mel.” He coached and led the Baxter Lady Bulldogs for many years. They won several championships and participated in the Baxter Fun Days Float Parade with the team over the years. One of his sayings was “Let’s Go” when the game was close and tense.
Other recognitions Melvin received was being named Grand Marshal along with his wife, Elaine in Baxter’s Fun Days. In 2000, Melvin was presented with “Citizen of the Year” plaque for his involvement in the community.
Melvin was awarded as the “Employee of the Year,” for the Baxter Oil company. He worked there every day at 5 A.M. sharp. He dedicated 37 years with a positive attitude smile and leadership. He loved meeting people every morning and at the holidays he would make a large plate of homemade candy for the staff and customers to enjoy.
Melvin served as Baxter City Clerk on the Counsel and was always involved in everything the community had to offer. He was a big help with community Thanksgiving dinners, helped with the county fair, was a 4-H leader and was a youth leader in his in Ferguson and in his local community. He was also the Chapel music leader at church every Sunday morning for many, many years and sang in the Good Gospel Singers traveling around Iowa and at the State Fair. Melvin along with his wife would take community residents to different events around Iowa and sometimes on vacations so they too could experience traveling. A few of his hobbies were fishing, woodworking,
cooking always trying new recipes that he would share with his family and others, flowers and gardening. Melvin had a big garden and loved sharing his produce with the residents in the community delivering buckets of fresh vegetables to many. Melvin never knew a stranger. He loved music and was always heard singing. Melvin and his wife loved to dance and enjoyed square dancing, waltzes, and most of all Polkas. Most important to him was his family. He loved family gatherings, going to family activities and having his family close by.
Proceeded in death were his parents, brother Eugene Montgomery, sister in law Erma Griffey, and his wife of 67 years Elaine Montgomery.
Those left to cherish Melvin in loving memory are his daughters, Christie (Mark) Milligan, Marsha (Rick) Strickland); grandchildren, Ashley (Brent) Jensen, Brandon (Megan) Milligan, Kristi (Scott) Padgett, Kip (Tiffany) Strickland, Travis (Alicia) Schmidt and Troy (Angela) Schmidt; 17 great-grandchildren; siblings, Robert (Diana) Montgomery of Colorado, Richard (Sue) Montgomery of Arizona, and sister-in-law Edna (Steve) Upchurch of South Carolina; many nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future memorial in the community in his honor.
Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the cremation care of Melvin and his family.
Source: Fredregill Funeral & Cremation website; August 8, 2024