Ivan Melcher

IVAN MELCHER

Monona

Ivan E. Melcher, 89, of Monona, died at Atrium Village Care Center, Hills, on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016.

The body has been cremated; interment will be at a later date.

Ivan was born to John and Effie (Leas) Melcher on Nov. 29, 1926, near Waterville, Iowa. He lived his youthful years on the family farm and attended country school. Ivan graduated from Waterville High School in 1945.

Ivan proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1946. In 1947, Staff Sgt. Melcher was sent to Germany for a 2 1/2-year tour of duty. Following discharge from the Army in 1949, he was manager of Leas Concrete Products in Monona. He then served from 1950 to 1953 with the 9th Regiment 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Meritorious Service Medal and received a field promotion to warrant officer.

On Oct. 1, 1950, Ivan married Donna Mae Havelick. The couple lived in Monona and raised two daughters.

After experience laying block and brick throughout Eastern Iowa, Ivan established Melcher Construction. He built 124 homes and the Elkader and Strawberry Point post offices.

Ivan enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling, and in his later years, gardening. He visited Germany in 1976, 1996 and 2009.

Ivan was preceded in death by his wife, Donna; daughter, Jeanine; brothers, Lester, Glenn, Carl, John, Arden and Vernon; and sisters, Wilma, Amelia and Arlene.

Survivors include daughter, Susan (Craig) Hansen of Riverside; grandchildren, Christopher Hansen of Lowell, Mass., Sarah (Tom) Scales of Oldsmar, Fla., and Rachel Hansen of Iowa City; great-grandchildren, Alexander, Ethan, Eli, Oskar and Olive Scales; brother, Noel (Marceine) Melcher of Mount Vernon, Wash.; sister, Joan McCraney of Evansdale; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be directed to Monona Historical Society or Murphy Memorial Library, Monona.

Condolences may be sent to 3262 Bayertown Rd., Riverside, IA 52327.