Obituary - Melvin Elward Pence - 1945

Melvin E. Pence, Jr., (80) of Scottsdale, AZ passed away on July 20, 2025.

He was born on January 18, 1945 in Iowa to Melvin Sr. and Dora Pence. He graduated from Eldora High School. After serving in the US Army, he attended Iowa State University earning a degree in Veterinary Medicine. Mel was in practice in southwest Iowa and later took a position teaching at the University of Georgia. Upon retirement, he relocated to Scottsdale.

He is survived by daughter Heidi Pence Epsen, Mike Epsen, Noah Long, Colby and Sarah Epsen, Glenda Guthrie, George and Nancy Pence, Cheryl Pence, Levi and Barbara Pence, Alex and Rose Pence and many members of their extended families. Mel also is survived and fondly remembered by many friends around the country.

Mel married his beloved wife, Pamela Gates Pence, who predeceased him in March 2016. He is also predeceased by his parents and brother David Pence.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Newton, Iowa on October 4, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home Tribute Center 201 E. 4th St. N. Newton, Iowa.

Learn more about Melvin on the Pence Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/melvin-elward-pence-1945.

Harvey Alonzo Pence 1940 U.S. Census

PENCE, HARVEY A. (1940 U.S. Census)

IOWA, GRUNDY, MELROSE TOWNSHIP

Age: 22, Male, Race: WHITE, Born: IL

Nora May Pence Obituary

George and Nora Pence Reunion 1979

1979 George Corner and Nora Pence Family Reunion

From Left: Wilbur and Georgie Wheat, Harvey and Mitze Pence, Lawrence, Howard and Alice Pence, and Melvin and Dora Pence

Obituary - Howard William Pence

Howard W. Pence, 92 of Eldora, Iowa, passed away Monday, May 27, 2013 at the Eldora Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora, while under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. Funeral services will be at 10:30 on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. Burial will follow in the Conrad Cemetery. Visitation is from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Ivester Church of the Brethren. Online condolences may be made at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Howard William Pence was born July 18, 1920 to George and Nora (Smith) Pence at Carrie Mills, Illinois. He was the fourth of five children to be born to this union. Howard attended schools at Waterloo, Iowa and Whitten, Iowa. Howard and his brothers farmed for their mother.

On February 14, 1943 Howard was united in marriage to Alice Emmert at Eldora, in her parent's home. Howard and Alice farmed in the Whitten and Conrad area and Howard also worked many years for the Conrad Coop. They were the parents of one son, James, who was the first Grundy County boy to be killed in action in Viet Nam, and three daughters, Jane, Bonnie and Susan. Alice passed away on April 23, 1989. After her death Howard continued to work for Dick and Rick Hibbs.

On September 19, 1992 Howard married Hazel Harms at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. Hazel was a longtime friend having graduated with Alice. Howard and Hazel resided in her home on North Washington Street in Eldora.

Howard was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a member of the Conrad Lion's Club. He was a former member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren.

Left to mourn his passing is his wife, Hazel; daughters, Jane Kruse (Sue Ladehoff) of Canon City, Colorado, and Susan (Clarke) Oestereich of Grundy Center, Iowa; son-in-law, Steve Mugge of Conrad; 8 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice; son, James; daughter, Bonnie Mugge; son-in-law, Bob Schleisman; brothers, Lawrence, Harvey and Melvin; and sister, Georgia Wheat.

Learn more about Howard on the Pence Family History site: https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/howard-william-pence.

George Corner Pence and Nora May Smith