Melvin Ernest Sickels

Dateline: Albia Melvin Ernest Sickels, age 85, of Albia died Thursday evening, August 21, 2014 at the Monroe County Hospital, ER. He was born on May 18, 1929 in Prescott, IA to Theodore and Ruth David Sickels. Ruth passed away when Melvin was very young, and he was then raised by his step-mother Nellie David. Melvin graduated from Cromwell High School, class of 1947. He married Mildred Henton on December 24, 1946 in Creston Iowa. He worked for Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad. He retired as an Assistant Superintendent in 1984. He was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia. He was very active and involved in many organizations. He was a 50 year member of the Order of Eastern Star, and a 50 year member of the Masons where he had many accreditations. He received the Distinguished Service Award, was past Grand High Priest, Grand Knight Commander of the Temple, and was installed on June 15, 2002 in Mobile, AL as the Governor York Rite College of Iowa; just to name a few. He loved his dog Buttons. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and feeding the wildlife. He was often seen mowing many lawns in the Albia area, and treated them all as his own. Melvin ...[more]

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a great father, and fantastic grandfather. He is survived by his wife Mildred of Albia, children, Ruth Pfaff of Peterson, Patty Hoelzel and Ray Gardner of Albia, Dianne (Jim) Woolums of Albia, Carol (Dan) Hanson of Slater, Ralph (Lori) Sickels of Albia, Karen (Pat) Dinneen of Albia, twenty-two grandchildren, thirty-nine great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. He is also survived by sister, Nancy Weatherman of Peterson, daughter-in-law, Mickie Sickels of Albia, and various nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Theodore and Ruth, step mother, Nellie; son, Ronnie Sickels, grandson, Gregory Pfaff, granddaughter, Jenna Hoelzel, brother, Robert Sickels, two son-in-laws, Gary Pfaff, and Rob Hiatt, and beloved dog, Buttons. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, August 25, 2014 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Albia with Rev. Neil Montz officiating. Burial will follow in Oakview Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, August 24, 2014, opening to the public at 2:00 pm and family will be present from 6-8 pm at the Sinnott Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Albia. There will be Masonic Rites at 7:00 pm provided by Astor 505 of Albia. Memorials may go to Eastern Star or the Masonic Lodge, both of Albia. Online condolences may