Maurice J. Scieszinski, 82, of Melrose, passed away June 24, 2009, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines after a lengthy battle with lung cancer.

Maurice was born March 3, 1927, to William S. and Teresa M. (Fitzgerald) Scieszinski, the youngest of ten children. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1944 and farmed near Melrose his entire life. On October 2, 1954, he married Margaret Jean McGrath of Chariton. She survives.

In 1983, Maurice was hired by the State of Iowa as a Federal/State Market News Reporter, traveling to sale barns around the state to report livestock auctions. He retired in 1995. Maurice served the community on the Monroe County Extension Council, USDA/FmHA County Committee, and Albia Community School Board. He was one of many who were instrumental in securing rural water for Monroe County through the Rathbun Rural Water Association in the early 1970's. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose, served on the Parish Council, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was a 30 year Cyclone FB season ticket holder and enjoyed attending Cyclone athletic events with his family.

Maurice is survived by his wife, Margaret; three daughters Anne (Terry) Keen of O'Fallon, MO; Teresa Scieszinski and Jane Scieszinski both of Windsor Heights; one granddaughter, Sarah (William) Pruemer of O'Fallon, MO; two sisters, Helen Scieszinski of Waukee and Grace Roush of Clive; sister- in-law Mary Alyce Sellers of Chariton, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Frank, Michael, and William Scieszinski and four sisters: Teresa Scieszinski, Mary T. Scieszinski, Regina Roach, and Berenice McCarty.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, June 27, at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Melrose, IA, with Rev. Robert Lathrop officiating. Following the service burial will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Melrose.

Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Friday, June 26, 2009 at the Winfield Funeral Home in Albia. Maurice's family will be present from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday evening. A rosary will be led Friday at 4 p.m., provided by the Knight's of Columbus Council #4167, and a Christian Wake Service will also be held at the funeral home, Friday evening at 7 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Central Iowa-Des Moines, Hospice of Monroe County, and Mount Calvary Cemetery in Melrose.