Melvin Kelderman
Melvin Kelderman
Oskaloosa. Melvin Kelderman, 85, of Oskaloosa, died Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at the Mahaska Health Partnership in Oskaloosa. He was born on Thursday, September 30, 1926, at Hammond, Indiana, the son of Pete and Gerarda Huge Kelderman. He served in the United States Army during WWII. On August 12, 1949, he was united in marriage to Cobie Ryken, the love of his life until his death; Cobie died February 20, 2008. Melvin spent the first 28 years of his working life at Continental Manufacturing, maker of men’s trousers, where he was production manager. He bought and sold real estate his whole life and enabled over 70 people to own their own homes, most of who would have never qualified for traditional home ownership. For the past 41 years, Melvin and Cobie spent the majority of the year in Apache Junction, Arizona. A mechanical genius, Melvin was capable of fixing almost anything. Melvin especially loved Cobie, his wife, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church and an ardent supporter of Christian education.
Melvin is survived by his two sons and their spouses, Leon and Vicki Kelderman of Oskaloosa, and Rev. Duane and Jeannette Kelderman of Grand Rapids, Michigan; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister and her husband, Helen and Robert White of Phoenix Arizona; two brothers and their wives Herman and Bernice Kelderman and Lawrence and Marlene Kelderman all of Des Moines, and brother-in-law and his wife Sybren and Dorothy Ryken of Oskaloosa, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his wife Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Gerarda, three brothers Robert, Harold and Rich and one sister Viola Groenenboom.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 12, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Duane Kelderman officiating. There will be a family prayer service at 10:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall of the church. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton. Graveside Military Rites 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 Friday after 1:00 p.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be present from 5-7p.m. Friday to greet friends and relatives. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Safe Water International Ministries (SWIM).
