He was born Sept. 2, 1922, at Sterling and attended rural school near Sterling. He started farming at age 13 before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942, serving three and one-half years, part of the time overseas. He married Evelyn Roelfs Feb. 16, 1947, at St. John Lutheran Church of Sterling. They lived and farmed south of Sterling for 16 years before moving into Sterling.
Melvin worked for Dobson Bros. Construction Company as a finish blade operator and foreman for 25 years, retiring in 1984. He was a charter member of the Sterling Rescue Squad where he served for 15 years, was a volunteer fireman for 20 years and served on the Sterling Village Board for 22 years, 14 of those as chairman. He was a Cub Scout leader. He helped organize and was a charter and life-time member of VFW Post 8221 of Tecumseh and was a member of Harm Sangen Post 140 of the American Legion of Sterling. He formerly had been a member of the American Legion Post of Tecumseh and Crab Orchard. He was past president of the Sterling Community Organization and an active member for many years. He was a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church of Sterling where he was baptized as a child and confirmed as an adult.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Meints of Tecumseh; two sons, Larry Meints of Sioux Center, Iowa and David Meints and wife Connie of Allen, Texas; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; one sister, Mary Lou Larimore and husband Russell of Vesta. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Opal Dollarhide Meints; one brother, Dale Meints.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at St. John Lutheran Church of Sterling with Pastor Mark Jamison officiating. Burial will be in the Sterling Cemetery. A family prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the fellowship room of the church. The body will lie in state at the Zink-Fox Funeral Home in Sterling from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and at the church one hour preceding the services Wednesday. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Harm Sangen Post 140 of the American Legion of Sterling. A memorial has been established to the Sterling American Legion with Shannon and Erma Hazen in charge.
He was born Sept. 2, 1922, at Sterling and attended rural school near Sterling. He started farming at age 13 before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942, serving three and one-half years, part of the time overseas. He married Evelyn Roelfs Feb. 16, 1947, at St. John Lutheran Church of Sterling. They lived and farmed south of Sterling for 16 years before moving into Sterling.
Melvin worked for Dobson Bros. Construction Company as a finish blade operator and foreman for 25 years, retiring in 1984. He was a charter member of the Sterling Rescue Squad where he served for 15 years, was a volunteer fireman for 20 years and served on the Sterling Village Board for 22 years, 14 of those as chairman. He was a Cub Scout leader. He helped organize and was a charter and life-time member of VFW Post 8221 of Tecumseh and was a member of Harm Sangen Post 140 of the American Legion of Sterling. He formerly had been a member of the American Legion Post of Tecumseh and Crab Orchard. He was past president of the Sterling Community Organization and an active member for many years. He was a life-long member of St. John Lutheran Church of Sterling where he was baptized as a child and confirmed as an adult.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Meints of Tecumseh; two sons, Larry Meints of Sioux Center, Iowa and David Meints and wife Connie of Allen, Texas; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; one sister, Mary Lou Larimore and husband Russell of Vesta. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Opal Dollarhide Meints; one brother, Dale Meints.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at St. John Lutheran Church of Sterling with Pastor Mark Jamison officiating. Burial will be in the Sterling Cemetery. A family prayer service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the fellowship room of the church. The body will lie in state at the Zink-Fox Funeral Home in Sterling from 2-8 p.m. Tuesday and at the church one hour preceding the services Wednesday. Military graveside honors will be conducted by the Harm Sangen Post 140 of the American Legion of Sterling. A memorial has been established to the Sterling American Legion with Shannon and Erma Hazen in charge.
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