Obituaries : Melvin J. Schmuecker

Melvin J. Schmuecker, 86, of Marion, Iowa formerly of Watkins, Iowa went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 13, 2016, at his home, surrounded by his family. Visitation: 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Watkins, with one hour visitation prior to the mass. Burial: St. Patrick’s & St. Paul’s Cemetery, Watkins.

Survivors include his children, Michael (Susanne) Schmuecker of Watkins, Michelle (Duane) Koopman of Newhall, and Mark Schmuecker of Cherokee, Iowa; his step-children, Mike (Anje) Lybarger of Hanover, Pennsylvania, Jim Lybarger of Los Angeles, California, Ken (Deb) Lybarger of Palm Harbor, Florida, and Rose (Merrill) Angell of Riceville, Iowa; his siblings, Colleen Callan of Robins, Iowa, Virginia (Don) Becker of Van Horne, Iowa, Jim Schmuecker of Vinton, Iowa and Ed (Sally) Schmuecker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; both wives; and a sister, Bobbie Byrd.

Melvin was born March 24, 1930, to Alfred and Loretta (Brecht) Schmuecker in Watkins. He graduated from Norway High School in 1947. He married Joann May on May 23, 1954. She passed away in 1968. He then married Kathryn Lybarger on October 7, 1978. She passed away in 2002. Melvin worked as a longtime repairman in the automotive and electronics industry, retiring from Erbs Office Supply.

Melvin was an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Watkins, and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, doing crossword puzzles, models, fishing and camping, and watching NASCAR and old westerns.

A memorial fund has been established in Melvin’s memory.

Please share a memory of Melvin at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.