The Life of MELVIN EUGENE GHEE
Mel passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, at Taylor House Hospice. He was born April 2, 1932, in Nashville, TN to James and Eula Ghee. The family moved to Des Moines in 1943.
Prior to moving to Johnston 8 years ago, he lived in Altoona for 48 years. He graduated from East High School in 1950 and married Joann Stufflebeam in 1951. They were blessed with 5 children and they were together for 44 years until her death in 1995.
He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon returning to civilian life, he enrolled at Drake University and attended evening classes for 2 ½ years.
Mel married Ginny Olson in 1997, and they loved traveling and spending winters in Arizona. He liked most sports and was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan.
Mel worked in the accounting department at Look Magazine for several years, and later worked for Dahls Foods, retiring in 1994 as Grocery Department Manager.
Mel was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church in Des Moines.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Oscar, Paul, and Bill; sisters, Toleda and Dolly. He is survived by his loving wife, Ginny; daughters, Sandra (Mark) Crouch of Altoona and Kathy (Larry) Dawson of Webster City; sons, Perry (Debbye) of Altoona, Kevin (Tammie) of Des Moines, and Kelly of Des Moines; stepdaughter, Jackie (Chris) Leech of Des Moines; stepson, Jeff Olson of St. Augustine, FL; 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one step grandson; as well as his sisters, Deanna (David) Turner of Des Moines and Brenda Davies of Carrollton, TX.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at New Hope United Methodist Church, 4525 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Saturday morning at the church from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be directed to New Hope UMC or UnityPoint Hospice in loving memory of Mel.
Prior to moving to Johnston 8 years ago, he lived in Altoona for 48 years. He graduated from East High School in 1950 and married Joann Stufflebeam in 1951. They were blessed with 5 children and they were together for 44 years until her death in 1995.
He proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon returning to civilian life, he enrolled at Drake University and attended evening classes for 2 ½ years.
Mel married Ginny Olson in 1997, and they loved traveling and spending winters in Arizona. He liked most sports and was a loyal Chicago Cubs fan.
Mel worked in the accounting department at Look Magazine for several years, and later worked for Dahls Foods, retiring in 1994 as Grocery Department Manager.
Mel was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church in Des Moines.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Oscar, Paul, and Bill; sisters, Toleda and Dolly. He is survived by his loving wife, Ginny; daughters, Sandra (Mark) Crouch of Altoona and Kathy (Larry) Dawson of Webster City; sons, Perry (Debbye) of Altoona, Kevin (Tammie) of Des Moines, and Kelly of Des Moines; stepdaughter, Jackie (Chris) Leech of Des Moines; stepson, Jeff Olson of St. Augustine, FL; 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one step grandson; as well as his sisters, Deanna (David) Turner of Des Moines and Brenda Davies of Carrollton, TX.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at New Hope United Methodist Church, 4525 Beaver Avenue in Des Moines, with burial to follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive visitors Saturday morning at the church from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be directed to New Hope UMC or UnityPoint Hospice in loving memory of Mel.
Filter MELVIN EUGENE GHEE's Timeline by the following Memory Categories
Military Service
War:
Korea
Branch:
Army
Rank:
Unknown
Branch:
Army
Rank:
Unknown
