Melanie Blunk, 67, of Fremont, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Mar. 29, 2022, at Mahaska Health Partnership Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Funeral services were at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Apr. 2, at Union Mills Christian Church with Pastor Josh Martin officiating. Burial was in the Union Mills Cemetery with a luncheon following in the fellowship hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Union Mills Christian Church.
Melanie Jean Blunk, the daughter of Caleb and Helen (McMains) Hargis, was born May 16, 1954, in Oskaloosa. She graduated from North Mahaska High School in 1972. Melanie attended Patricia Stevens Fashion College in Omaha, NE, receiving a degree in fashion merchandising. She then moved back to New Sharon to raise her children. Melanie worked for Grinnell Mutual, Fashion Crossroads in Oskaloosa, and McGregor’s while attending school at William Penn College in Oskaloosa and graduating with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1990. She was married to Joseph Blunk at the Union Mills Christian Church on Feb. 16, 1990.
Melanie had a passion for leading people to the Lord. She was privileged to be a director and leader at Youth for Christ in Ottumwa. She also taught at the Wapello County Shelter. She was a lifelong member of Union Mills Christian Church and was very active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship. She enjoyed quilting, fishing, flowers, gardening, playing cards, and above all spending time with her family. Melanie rarely missed a ballgame or activity her grandchildren were involved in. She loved to travel and most recently went on a trip to Europe with her granddaughter McKinley. Other notable trips include Scotland and England with her mom and sister, several trips and cruises with her husband Joe, fishing trips to Canada, wintering in Texas for three years, along with many other great trips.
Melanie’s legacy will be honored by her husband Joseph Blunk of Fremont; her children Ben (Tara) Conover of Lynnville and Angela (Patrick) Patterson of Walford; five grandchildren McKinley (Kobe) Fisk, Denali Conover, Alexy Conover, Nate Patterson, and Max Patterson; her stepdaughters Cindy (Cal) Creekmore of Virginia Beach, VA, LaDonna Rubio of North Carolina, and Vera Blunk of Whitehall, AR; her siblings Elaine (Charles) Johnston of Goshen, NY, and C.E. (Debra) Hargis II of New Sharon; sister-in-law Nancy Hargis; and many other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Jim Hargis; and a brother in infancy Terry Paige Hargis.
You may grieve a little,
It’s part of life.
But don’t be sad,
Just live for Him.
And I’ll see you again someday!
I love you forever and always!
Love, Mom/Grandma/Melanie
