W. Melvin Bloem

W. Melvin Bloem

W. Melvin Bloem
September 19, 1921 – November 11, 2016
Oskaloosa (New Sharon), Iowa | Age 95
Served With Honor ~ United States Military Veteran

(Walter) Melvin Bloem, 95, of Oskaloosa and formerly of New Sharon, died Friday, November 11, 2016, at the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Melvin was born September 19, 1921, in Mahaska County, the son of Peter and Angeline Van Zomeren Bloem.

Melvin attended Black Oak Country School. On July 7, 1945, he entered the United States Army. He served in Japan, and worked on post war construction projects for the Army. During his time, in Japan he traveled to the location the atomic bomb was dropped. He was honorably discharged from the Army on November 28, 1946.

Melvin returned to Mahaska County and purchased the family farm north of Oskaloosa. On February 20, 1947, he was united in marriage to Sara Schinkel at the home of her parents. Together Melvin and Sara farmed and raised their family on the farm Melvin purchased upon his return from the Army. On April 30, 2010, Sara died. Melvin moved into Homestead Assisted Living in Oskaloosa in 2011.

He was an active member of First Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa, where he had served as a deacon. He had served as a 4-H leader in Mahaska County for 19 years. Melvin loved the farm. He truly enjoyed tending to his herd of Black Angus Cattle. He also enjoyed woodworking and restoring antique tractors.

His family includes his three children and their spouses: Phil (& Carrie Ann) Bloem of New Sharon, Twila (& Gaylord) DeJong of New Sharon and Rex (& Sandy) Bloem of Indianola; ten grandchildren: Missi (& Jamie) Bogaard of Lynnville, Iowa, Lori (& Ryan) Eekhoff of Britt, Iowa, Rochele (& Brent) DeRuyter of Lynden, Washington, Katie Nunnikhoven of New Sharon, Scott (& Susan) DeJong of Oskaloosa, Jeffrey (& Kathleen) DeJong of Leighton, Jodi DeJong of Lebanon, Missouri, Justin Bloem of Carlisle, Michael Bloem (& Leah Abbe Bloem) of Woodbury, Minnesota and Erica Neisen of Waterloo; twenty two great grandchildren; a sister, Leona (& Harold) V. Veldhuizen of Pella; and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife Sara, Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Elmer Bloem; and three sisters: Beulah Bandstra, Norma Bloem, and Bernice Drost.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 15, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverends Jamie Bogaard and Bruce Wittern officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa.
Graveside Military Honors will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Monday after 9 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-8 Monday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Melvin Bloem Memorial Fund and will be used to benefit charities that Melvin held close to his heart.

Posted by on Nov 12 2016. Filed under Obituaries. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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