Melvin Rhodes

MELVIN H. RHODES

Cedar Rapids

Melvin H. Rhodes, 91, of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, at Cottage Grove Place. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Inurnment in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home.

Survivors include his wife, Em; two daughters, Susan (Steve) Malamphy of Texas and Nancy Rhodes of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Roy of Marion and Michael of Cedar Rapids; one brother, Marvin of Lincoln, Neb.; and a sister, Marcella Welch of Maryland. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, one great-grandchild and one great-great-grandchild.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, two sisters and daughter-in-law, Linda.

Mel was born Sept. 5, 1925, in Ansley, Neb., the son of Marcellus and Elsie Hyatt Rhodes. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. On Oct. 22, 1948, he married Mary "June" Soldani in Lincoln, Neb. June passed away in 1996. He later married Em Merulla on April 11, 2006, in Cedar Rapids.

Mel was an electrical engineer and worked at Rockwell Collins for over 30 years, retiring in 1990.

He was a member of IEEE and proudly served in both World War II and the Korean War, on the Battleship Iowa. Mel enjoyed all types of dance. He especially liked square dancing and was a caller. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed RV camping.

Mel was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him. He will be greatly missed.

Please leave a message or tribute to the Rhodes family on the website, www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.