Melvin Mayer

Melvin J. Mayer, 86, of Marcus, Iowa passed away on Saturday, December 29, 2012 at the Heartland Care Center in Marcus where he had been residing since May of 2011. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus. Rev. Don Meyer and Vicar Phillip Beyersdorf will officiate. Burial will follow at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, rural Marcus. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at the Earnest – Johnson Funeral Home in Marcus. The family will be present from 5-8 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church on Thursday prior to the funeral service.

Melvin John Mayer was born on March 2, 1926 on a farm south of Marcus, Iowa to John and Luise (Goenner) Mayer. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church, rural Marcus on April 18, 1926. In 1931, Melvin went to Germany with his parents and older brother George. Upon returning home, he had to relearn English. Melvin attended Simpson Bethel, Amherst No. 8 rural school. Following 8th grade graduation, Melvin attended a year of Confirmation School at Trinity Lutheran. Melvin was Confirmed on April 6, 1941. He entered Marcus High School in 1941 and completed his senior year by a correspondence course as he enlisted in the Army-Air Force in May of 1944. Melvin served as a gunner on B-17's. He was honorably discharged in November of 1945 and returned to farm with his father.

On March 20, 1949, he married his high school sweetheart, Lois Kuehn, at the Methodist Church in Marcus. Together they farmed on the family farm until moving to Marcus in 1984.

Melvin was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church all of his life where he held many offices within the church. He served on the Marcus School Board for 6 years. He was a charter board member of Cherokee Rural Water serving for 11 years. He also served on the Marcus Oil Board.

He loved attending cattle sales and helping Tom and Bill on the farm. He ran one of their combines until he was 80 years old. He was an avid Iowa State fan. Most of all he treasured spending time with his family.
Melvin will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 63 years, Lois of Marcus, IA; three sons, Tom and his wife Monica of Marcus, IA, John of Neola, IA and his fiancé Jody Mohr of Scottsdale, AZ, Bill and his wife Deb of Marcus, IA; grandchildren, Mike (Angie) Mayer, Ann (Jeff) Goth, Stephanie (Mike) Peters all of Marcus, IA, Jacob (Katie) Mayer of Wahoo, NE, Tedd Mayer of David City, NE, Jody (Nathan) Harris of Fayetteville, AR, Abby (Matt) Priebe of Britt, IA, Molly Mayer of Grand Forks, ND, Laura (fiancé Nathan Markworth) Mayer of Emmetsburg, IA; 10 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter-in-law, Dawn Mayer; a brother George Mayer, brothers and sisters-in-law, Carroll and Irene Kuehn, Bill and Jeanette Hemke.