Obituary - Melvin Elward Pence - 1922

In Memory of Melvin Elward Pence Sr.

The son of George C. and Nora May Smith, Melvin was born November 1, 1922, at Liberty, Illinois. When he was a young boy, the family moved to Waterloo, Iowa, later moving to the Whitten and Ivester areas in Grundy County, Iowa. Melvin attended rural schools in Grundy County and the Whitten High School. On August 26, 1942, he was united in marriage with Dora Marie Stover at her home in rural Grundy County. During World War II, Melvin saw active duty in the U.S. Navy where he was a Gunners Mate on an LST. He served in the South Pacific from 1943-1945. In 1945 he was honorably discharged as a Fireman 1st Class.

Following his military service, he was engaged in farming near Eldora, Iowa, for several years. Since a small farm could not support his family, he began a career as a salesman, which he continued for 35 years. From 1976-1983 he and Dora delivered motor homes nation-wide for Winnebago Industries. In 1984, he and Dora moved to Newton, Iowa to assist their son, Levi, in his funeral home. Melvin was a member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren in rural Gundy County; a member of the Newton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1655 and the Newton Moose Lodge #923.

Death came to Melvin on Friday, September 6th, 1991, in his home. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers: Kenneth, Lawrence and Harvey and by his sister, Georgia Wheat.

Those left to honor the memory of Melvin Pence include his wife, Dora; his five sons and their wives: George H. and Nancy Pence of Wellington, West Palm Beach, Florida; Melvin E. Jr. and Pam Pence of Lenox, Iowa; David L. and Cheryl Pence of Earlville, Iowa; Levi E. and Barbara Pence of Newton and Alex W. and Rose Pence of Nevada, Iowa; his 10 grandchildren: Heidi Pence; Kevin M. Pence; Brenda R. and Jim Schweitzer; Kellie M. and Jacob Brown; Jeffrey J. Pence; Tammy S. Pence; Christina M. Pence; Keary M. Pence; Danny L. Pence and Lucas J. Pence; and his brother, Howard Pence of Conrad, Iowa.

Learn more about Melvin on the Pence Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/melvin-elward-pence-1922.

Obituary - Lawrence Eugene Pence

Services Held For Lawrence Pence, Age 69

Lawrence E. Pence, age 69, passed away Saturday, October 31, 1982, at his home. Funeral services were held Monday, November 1, at 2 p.m. at the Ivester Church of the Brethren, RR1, Grundy Center, with Rev. Arlin Claassen officiating. Burial was in Sheller Cemetery, RR, Eldora.

Mrs. Howard Cakerice accompanied the soloists, Mrs. John Dinnes and Mrs. Howard Sheller. Casket bearers were Jerry Pence, Michael Pence, George Pence, Melvin Pence, Jr., Mark Wheat and Dean Wheat. Mrs. Gerald Hess, Mrs. Virgil Mackie and Mrs. Lyle Neher were in charge of floral arrangements.

Mr. Pence was born January 12, 1913 in Jasonville, IN. He was the son of George and Nora M. (Smith) Pence. In 1925 Lawrence moved from Indiana to Iowa. While living in Indiana he enjoyed outdoor life and playing basketball. Lawrence attended Whitney high school.

His father died in 1930, at which time Lawrence and his mother took on the responsibilities of his brothers and sister. Lawrence worked for different farmers in the Ivester area where he lived and he also worked on the PWA during the depression years. His reputation was known for his willingness to accept responsibilities beyond his control.

In 1938, Lawrence and his mother entered into farming in Grundy county. In 1941, he assumed added responsibility in helping his sister raise her three children.

On November 11, 1949 at Clay City, IN he was united in marriage to Hazel I. Draper. She passed away on November 5, 1977. He resided on the 80-acre farm he and his wife bought in 1951 until the time of his death.

He is survived by one sister, Georgia (Mrs. Wilbur) Wheat, Eldora; three brothers, Harvey A. of Eldora, Howard W. of Conrad, and Melvin E. of Eldora.

He was preceded in death by one infant brother.

The Johnston Funeral Home of Conrad was in charge of the arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 11 November 1982, pg 3

Learn more about Lawrence on the Pence Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/lawrence-eugene-pence.

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.