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:
