Melvin Johnson

Sibley, Iowa Melvin Johnson, age 89 of Sibley, Iowa died Saturday, September 27th at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley. Funeral service will be 10:30 AM, Wednesday, October 1st at the United Methodist Church in Sibley, IA, with Rev. Douglas Harding officiating. Burial will follow at the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 30th from 2 " 8 PM, with the family present from 6 " 8 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley. Melvin Johnson was born on March 9, 1919 in Goff, KS, the son of Carl and Iris (Prawl) Johnson. Melvin received his education and graduated from Goff High School. He was an avid sportsman all of his life. During his High School career he was a three sport (basketball, baseball and track) letterman all four years, going on to play semi-pro baseball as a young man. On July 23, 1939, he was united in marriage to Alice McKee at the Methodist Church parsonage in Seneca, KS. To this union two children were born. When his daughter was eighteen months old Melvin enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1943 to 1945 on the USS Trinity, a tanker ship, which was charged with the duty of refueling war ships in the South Pacific Battle Theatre during WWII. After the war Melvin went to work as a manager of an Egg and Poultry plant in Hiawatha, KS. In 1953 he and his family were transferred to Sibley were he took the position of Plant Superintendent for Sibley Egg and Poultry. He served in that capacity for 19 years. Upon the closure of the Sibley Egg Plant Melvin worked as an Operator for the Sibley Power Plant until his retirement. Melvins love of sports caused him to take up the game of golf at the age of 45. He enjoyed the game very much and became quite good at it. He even experienced the elusive hole-in-one on three separate occasions at the Sibley course. Woodworking in his basement was also a favorite pastime for Melvin. He loved creating and shaping things from wood and building golf clubs. Above all, he loved his family. Alice and the children will hold many dear memories of him and his big hugs . This past Saturday, Melvin passed away at the Osceola Community Hospital at the age of 89. Melvin is survived by his wife of 69 years, Alice; daughter, Rae Johnson of Sibley, IA; son, Alan (Debra) Johnson of Colorado Springs, CO; grandchildren, Wade (Dawn) Van Westen of Milwaukee, WI, Warren (Tracy) Van Westen of Bigelow, MN, Casey (Sam) Brandt of Des Moines, Kelley (Joey) Lucero of Colorado Springs, CO, and Jessica Johnson of Greeley, CO; great-grandchildren, Jordan, Joshua, Jaci Van Westen, Kaeli, Bryan and Eric Van Westen, Dustin Brandt, Amanda Frye, Elizabeth Ramos, Mariah Lucero, Lilee and Brodie Brandt; and sister Joan Addington of Topeka, KS. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Iris Johnson; sister, Jean; brothers, Carl Jr. and Harley Johnson; and infant granddaughter.