Melvin D. Geurts, 94, formerly of Lynnville died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016, at Accura Healthcare of New-ton. A memorial service was held Dec. 28 at Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton. A private family burial was held at the Woodland Cemetery in Lynnville. Memorials in Melvin’s name may be left at the funeral home. Memorials may also be mailed to the funeral home, please add, Attn: Geurts Family on the envelope.
The son of F. M. and H. Louise Kruseman Geurts, Melvin was born Sept. 5, 1922, in Killduff.
On June 22, 1944, Melvin was united in marriage with Iris Jean Stanley in Oskaloosa. They were blessed with three daughters, Sherry, Debra, and Vicki. Melvin was a car salesman, having worked for dealerships in Grinnell and Montezuma. He was also a farmer. He was a member of the Eagles Club in Grinnell, the Old Car Club in Grinnell, and the Lynnville Lions Club. He enjoyed going to auctions, working on old clocks, and coffee times with his friends. Melvin lived his entire adult life in the Lynnville area.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Iris in 2002; son-in-law Danny “Bud” Bishop in 2016; grandsons, Charlie Cupples in 1986, Thadd Hoagland in 2003, and Chadd Hoagland in 2012; brothers, Harold (Jenny) Geurts and Lester (Dortha) Geurts; and brother-in-law, Bob Vander Wilt.
Those left to celebrate Melvin’s life are his three daughters, Sherry Bishop of Iowa City, Debra (Danny) Cupples of Newton, and Vicki Fairchild of Newton; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; his sister, Luella Vander Wilt of Grinnell; special friend, Betty Dillion of Grinnell and her family, including her granddaughter Kristen who was with Melvin when he died; and many nieces and nephews.
