Phil Melvin

Phillip (Phil) Lee Melvin, 87, lifelong farmer and steward of the land, loving son, idolized older brother, devoted husband, father, and family patriarch died at the Bloomfield Care Center on November 10, 2022 surrounded by family and friends. The cause of death was complications from kidney failure. Phil was born on November 13, 1934 to James and Ethelyne Melvin and grew up as the eldest of three children on the Melvin family farm near Savannah, Iowa. After graduating from high school he continued the family farming tradition on nearby land that would become part of his own farm abutting the Iowa/Missouri border. In his mid-20s, Phil met a pretty young high school senior named Linda Kerby at the local roller skating rink. She would be the love of his life, and they began their 61-year marriage in the summer of 1959 shortly after Linda graduated from high school. Phil and Linda made a life together on the farm, raising four children in two different houses, celebrating countless birthdays, holidays and family events, and enduring the hardships of failed crop years, a local bank failure and Phil’s near-death mowing accident on the farm that took his right eye. Through these years, Phil was a steadfast leader in land conservation and was recognized by local and state authorities for his efforts. A little later, Phil and Linda took up country-western dancing and could be found listening and dancing to their favorite local bands on most Saturday nights. When it came time for Phil to step back from the farm, he and Linda would spend most of their winters dancing, playing cards and enjoying time with friends at their getaway in Mesa, Arizona. Later, when Linda’s dementia began to slowly steal her away from him, Phil almost never left her side, and was her devoted protector and companion until the end. Phil is survived by his sister, Marilyn (Jim) Gould, his brother Stewart (Carol) Melvin, four children - Teresa (Glen) Adams, Robert (Pamela) Melvin, Tammy (Michael Morris) Miller, and Joe (Kevin Hunt) Melvin, three grandchildren - Jessica (Adam) Hootman, Nicholas (Mari) Melvin and Levi (Emily) Miller, and six great grandchildren - Rhett and Remi Hootman, Emery, Andi, and Jordy Melvin, and Presley Miller. He was preceded in death by his wife, Linda, and his parents, James and Ethylene. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at the Bloomfield Christian Church with Rev. Leslie Dotson officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Bloomfield Christian Church, where Phil was a Deacon and life-long member. A memorial has also been established to D.C. Dollars for Scholars.

Phil Melvin

November 13, 1934 - November 10, 2022