Melvin L. Matt
Melvin Leo Matt, 85, of Des Moines, formerly of Garnavillo, died Friday, June 17, 2016, at Taylor Hospice House in Des Moines.
Visitation was Wednesday, June 22, at Tuecke-Allyn Funeral Home, Garnavillo, and one hour before services at the church.
Funeral services were Thursday, June 23, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Garnavillo, conducted by Rev. Marvin Bries.
Interment was at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Garnavillo.
Melvin was born on July 25, 1930, on the Matt family farm near St. Olaf to Leo and Rose Matt.
Melvin attended grade school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Garnavillo and then attended and graduated from the Monona Public High School in 1948. After high school, Melvin served his country proudly with the United States Air Force 55th Strategic Recon Squadron from 1951 till he received his honorable discharge in 1955. On Nov. 23, 1957, Melvin was united in marriage with Ruby Barron at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral in Oklahoma City, Okla. Melvin was a lifelong devoted Catholic and a member of the St. Olaf American Legion Post #0388 and the Knights of Columbus in the Garnavillo/Elkader division. Mel loved gardening and his many quiet hours on his tractor working his farmland. He was a military history buff and had fond memories of his time in the Air Force and his Harley-Davidson motorcycle rides. His friends and family recall his gentle kindness, patience and humor.
Melvin will be forever loved and cherished by his six children, Barbara (Paul) Baeuchle of Lawrence, Kan., Ed (Jackie) Matt of West Des Moines, Elaine (Brad) Schaffner of Northfield, Minn., Denise (Michael) Nash of Indianapolis, Ind., Dan Matt of Wichita Falls, Texas and Sharon (Chris) Matt Atkins of Metuchen, N.J.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; much loved wife, Ruby; two brothers, Father Irwin Matt and Harold Matt; sister, Evelyn Stubbe and twin sister, Mildred Sprunck.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Lung Association in Melvin's memory.