Melvin Vonk
Melvin Vonk
Melvin Vonk
September 8, 1937 – January 7, 2021
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 83
Melvin Vonk, 83, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, January 7, 2021, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. He was born September 8, 1937, near Reasnor, Iowa, the son of Tunis and Celia A. (Verwers) Vonk.
Melvin attended Elm Grove Country School south of Oskaloosa and graduated from Oskaloosa High School with the class of 1956. He was on the High School Track Team and President of the FFA.
On March 20, 1959, he was united in marriage to June E. Engelhoven at the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa. June died on May 20, 2020.
Following their marriage, the couple moved to Newton and worked at Maytag but only stayed a year and moved back to Mahaska County and started farming south of Oskaloosa. Melvin worked as a rural mail carrier in addition to farming. He was a member of the Central Reformed Church and served as a Deacon and as an Elder. Melvin and June made it a point to attend as many of their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren’s events. He also enjoyed collecting matchbooks.
His family includes; three children and their spouses: Randy (& Arlene) Vonk of Oskaloosa, Delwin (& Joyce) Vonk of Oskaloosa and Melanie (& Steve) Sopher of Belmond, Iowa; his grandchildren: Greg Vonk of Oskaloosa, Iowa, Brandon (& Kate) Vonk of Oskaloosa, Amber Vonk of Des Moines, Jennifer (& Seth) Gordon of Madrid, Iowa, Ashley (& Tom) Ehlers of Cascade, Iowa, Brad (& Airianne) Vonk of Ottumwa, Mallory Sopher of Ames and Marissa Sopher and Shea Sopher of Belmond, Iowa; great grandchildren: Hayden, Sawyer and Bennett Ehlers, Allison Vonk, Brynn and Avery Vonk, and Blake Gordon. He is also survived by June’s brothers: Garlyn (& Irene) Engelhoven, and Byron Engelhoven all of Oskaloosa.
Melvin was preceded in death by his wife, June; his parents; 3 nephews; and a sister-in-law, Evelyn Engelhoven.
Funeral services will be held Monday, January 11, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. in the Central Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Jon Nelson officiating.
There will be a 10:15 family prayer service in the church fellowship hall prior to the service.
Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton.
According to the rules put in place by the Iowa Department of Public Health, proper social distancing and reasonable personal protective equipment is advised for attending a religious public event.
The funeral ceremony and the graveside service will be live streamed at the funeral home’s YouTube Channel for those wishing to support the family from a distance. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2021 beginning at 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Bates Funeral Chapel with the family present to greet relatives and friends.
Memorials may be made to the Central Reformed Church.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Melvin Vonk please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
