Melvin Hein

MELVIN HEIN

Monticello

Melvin Hein, 89, of Monticello, died Monday morning, May 5, 2014, at the Monticello Nursing and

Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 9, at the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello, with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery, Monticello. The Rev. Al Polito will officiate at the services. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

In lieu of flowers, a

memorial fund has been

established.

Thoughts, memories and condolences may be left at www.goettschonline.com.

Surviving is his wife, Marie; four children, Pat (Dick) Bell, Coggon, Mark (Deb) Hein, Matt (Vicki) Hein, both of Monticello, adn Nancy (Vern) Atwater, Minneapolis, Minn.; nine grandchildren, Nick (Bridget) Hein, Nathan (Joanna) Hein, Katy (Kendall) Bell DeJonge, Jeff Bell, Tierney Hein, Justin Hein, Logan Hein, Libby Atwater and Kirk Atwater; four great-grandchildren, Ryker Hein, Harper Hein, Gracen Hein and Vivian Hein; and two brothers, Dale (Althea) Hein, Elkader, and Glenn (Carol) Hein, Monticello.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Melvin was born April 12, 1925, at the John McDonald Hospital, Monticello, Iowa. He was the first son of Carl Nelson and Franey Guyan Hein. Melvin lived his entire life in the Monticello area. He joined the First Presbyterian Church in 1933. Prior to that, he attended the German Presbyterian Church in Richland Township. He attended several different rural schools in Richland Township, riding his pony, Jim, to and from school most days. Melvin began farming with his father, Carl, "as soon as I could walk." He took over managing the family farm in 1943, after graduating from the Monticello Community Schools. Melvin married Marie Katherine Kray of Monticello, on Nov. 20, 1950. The couple celebrated their 63rd anniversary last November.

Melvin served as a 4-H leader for the Richland Wildcats in the early 1950s. He served on the Iowa Soil Conservation committee in the mid-1960s and in the 1970s and 1980s, he served on the ASCS committee of Jones County. He served on the Jones County Beef board and was president from 1977 to 1978. Melvin served his church as an

elder and on various committees over the years.

Melvin "retired" and moved to Monticello in 1982. He served 23 years as a director of the Citizens State Bank. He was a member of the Monticello Rotary Club 21 years and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. Until recently, he served on the Oakwood Cemetery board.

Melvin was interested in the activities at the Monticello Heritage Center. He was an avid follower of his brother, Dale's harness racing career. He took an active role in coordinating the harness racing events at the Great Jones County Fair for many years. Melvin loved the fair and remembered attending events there for 83 years.