Schweer, Melvin H. 'Mel'

Melvin H. “Mel” Schweer, 85, of Iowa City, died Saturday, May 26, 2012, at the Briarwood Care Center after a long struggle with dementia. A service celebrating his life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Horton Cemetery, Horton, Iowa. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Mel's memory to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, or chaplaincy funds through Old Capitol Kiwanis or Iowa District East of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, or one for the choice of the donor.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the web at .

Mel was born on the family farm near Revillo, S.D., on Nov. 21, 1926, son of Harry J. and Cecil J. (Ede) Schweer and was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Milbank, S.D. The family moved to the Ede family farm east of Plainfield, Iowa, in 1934. Mel was confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church, Waverly, Iowa, in 1940. He graduated from Plainfield High School in 1944 and joined the U.S. Navy in November. He served as a radar instructor at Navy Pier in Chicago until he was discharged in 1946. He attended Iowa State College on the GI bill, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1950.

After four years with Commonwealth Edison in Chicago, Mel worked at Iowa - Illinois Gas & Electric Co. in Iowa City for 27 years. His engineering expertise, his care for people and his commitment to the Christian faith motivated his co-workers to nominate him for the “Boss of the Year” award from the Iowa City Jaycees. In 1982, he joined Linn County Electric Co-Operative, until he retired in 1992. After retirement, he was a volunteer tax consultant at the Senior Centers in Mankato, Minn., Waterloo and Iowa City.

Mel enjoyed maintaining the family cars and was a member of the Iowa Valley Antique Car Club. He was a charter member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Iowa City, serving as elder and chairman of several committees. He served as president of the Iowa City Jaycees and the Johnson County Thrivent board of directors, and chairman of the board for Troop 204 of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a member of Iowa City Old Capitol Kiwanis and enjoyed games of bridge or euchre with friends.

Melvin was married to Kathryn (Sieck) Schweer on July 11, 1959.

He is survived by his wife and their sons, Daniel (Diane) of Iowa City, Mark (Amy) of Cedar Rapids, and David (Cheryl Lloyd) of Reno, Nev.; four grandchildren, Brian and Lynn Schweer of Iowa City, and Miranda and Alex Schweer of Cedar Rapids; 28 nieces and nephews; and 38 great-nieces and nephews.

Published in The Gazette May 29, 2012.