Memorial
Melvin Young, 97, of Palo, IA, passed away on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.
A funeral service celebrating Mel’s life will be held at 11 am Saturday, September 28, 2024, at the Palo United Methodist Church with Pastor Tyler officiating. The service will be live streamed via Facebook. A reception in the church’s Fellowship Hall will follow afterwards. The burial/committal will take place at the Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at 2:30PM. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 pm Friday, September 27, 2024, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom.
Survivors include his children, Larry Young of Tucson, AZ, Steven (Mary) Young of Palo, Debbie (Bill) Hauserman of St. Simons Island, GA, Jeff (Collette) Young of Dunnellon, FL, and Doug Young of Palo; 9 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and 3 great-greatgrandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, siblings and beloved daughter-in-law, Lynn Young.
Melvin Young was born September 16, 1927, on the Billy Beatty farm near Atkins, IA, the son of Clarence and Coda (Neal) Young. On October 3, 1948, he married Mildred Faye Rehder at Trinity Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Mel’s family moved around a lot. He first attended the country school in Urbana, a year in Palo, grades 4th-8th in Vinton, then went back to Palo School where he graduated. While attending 3rd grade at Palo School he met Faye, where he declared his love for her. Shortly before Faye’s passing, they celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. At 14, Mel left home to make a living and help support his family. He lived with Ike and Berniece McAllister of Palo and worked as a farmhand.
Melvin was a farmer for 67 years. Early in his married life, he farmed by day and worked nights at Wilson packing plant to support their growing family. At one time, the family was farming 800 acres and tending cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens. In the early 1970’s, Faye and Melvin owned several meat markets in Cedar Rapids and a meat processing plant in Ely. Three of their children, Debbie, Jeff and Doug were employed by and worked with their parents. Melvin was a Cargill Seed Corn salesman from June 1951-May 1996.
Faye and Mel are lifetime members of the Palo United Methodist Church. Mel was a Sunday school superintendent and a board member of the church. A 4-H leader from 1950-1954. For the 30 years before Faye passed away, Mel and Faye were Florida Snowbirds, hibernating from the Iowa winters.
Mel never met a stranger. He was a good, fun-loving and generous man. A loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle to numerous nieces and nephews.
He will be greatly missed by all those who loved and knew him.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Palo United Methodist Church in Memory of Melvin Young would be appreciated. Please indicate if you would like your donation used for the church’s general fund or the Mike Wood Memorial Food Pantry located in the church’s Fellowship Hall.