CLUTIER- Melvin "Mel" Valentine, age 85, of Clutier, passed away, Saturday, September 11, 2010 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo under the care of Compassus Hospice. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 10:30 AM at the Clutier Community Church with Pastor James Perry officiating. Interment will follow at Oneida Cemetery in Clutier. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 13, 2010 from 5-8 PM at the Kruse-Phillips Clutier Chapel.
Melvin was born October 19, 1924, in Kimball, South Dakota, the son of Charles Louis and Margaret (Spelman) Valentine.
He served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He married Betty Jones and Dolores Meyers and they later divorced.
On February 7, 1976, he was united in marriage to Helen Knoop at the Tama Methodist Church. Melvin worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation and retired after thirty-two years of service. Melvin was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed woodworking and liked to read and watch TV. He had previously raised horses and jumping mules which he took coon hunting. Mel loved story telling and sharing about his military life.
Preceding him in death were his parents; one son, Kirk Valentine; two sisters, Thelma Carnahan and Marion Lovett; and one brother that passed away earlier in life.
Survivors include his wife, Helen of Clutier; two granddaughters, April (Wes) Myers of Omaha, NE and Lyndsey (Nick) Jansen of Marshalltown; four great-grandchildren, Emeline and Laurel Myers and Jett and Jovi Jansen; his stepchildren, Larry Knoop of Clutier, Dean (Sharon) Knoop of Clutier, Loren (Leanne) Knoop of Clutier, Dennis (Diana) Mick of Marshalltown, Carol (Brian) Beem of Oklahoma and Kelly (Cathy) Mick of Marshalltown; his step-grandchildren, Andrea (Jeff) Coen, Wendell Knoop, Alicia Knoop, Doug (Kelli) Knoop, Deanna (Derrick) Nederhoff, Emma Knoop, Amber (Chris) Tabor, Arin (Lucas) Buresch, Samuel, Emily, Charlotte and Dawn Mick, Wendy, Angie and Matthew Beem and Greg and Kara Mick; his step-great-grandchildren, Avery Knoop and Dixie Nederhoff; and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial fund has been established.