Melvin Milton Kennedy

Melvin Kennedy, 94, of Oskaloosa passed away Sunday morning, February 23, 2014, at Oskaloosa Care Center. Melvin Milton Kennedy, son of John Jennings and Mary Mildred (Morrison) Kennedy, was born, April 25, 1919, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was a 1937 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. His first job out of high school was with Harold Mayer at Mayer’s Standard in Oskaloosa. Melvin was united in marriage with Dorothy Jean Shaw, January 21, 1942, in Unionville, Missouri. A short four days later, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Ft. Des Moines. He served in the Southern Philippines and Rhineland and was discharged, November 30, 1945, at Fort Leavenworth, KS as a 1st Sergeant. Upon his return to Iowa he was employed by Coca Cola as a truck driver. October 19, 1954, he began working at Iowa Valve now Clow Valve Company, painting valves. After almost 30 years, he retired as supervisor of Inventory Control, May 1, 1984. He enjoyed carpentry, gardening, cooking and baking and he and Dorothy spent many hours together remodeling their home at 802 S. “C” ST, a place they have lived since 1947. He was a member of St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ. His family includes his wife of 72 years, Dorothy J. Kennedy of Oskaloosa; his sons and their wives: Stephen & Mary Kennedy of Marshalltown, IA; Jerry & Cheryl Kennedy of Chicago, Il; two granddaughters: Stephanie & her husband, Alan Osgood, of Marshalltown, IA and Sarah and her husband, Timothy Schoenfeld, of Council Bluffs, IA; three great-grandchildren: Isaac Schoenfeld, Sophia Schoenfeld, and Hanna Osgood; and numerous nieces and nephews including Cristy McCombs who has been a caregiver to Mel and Dorothy the last several years. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters: Betty Smithart & Phyllis Berube, and three brothers: Donald Kennedy, Harry Lee “Buck” Kennedy and his twin brother, Merle Kennedy. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday morning, February 26, 2014, at Garland-Van Arkel-Langkamp Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Pastor Tom Palmer and Mr. Allen Bowman officiating. Visitation will be held Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. and resume Wednesday morning at 9:30 a.m. to service time. Cremation will follow the service and inurnment of his ashes will be held privately at Forest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Ecumenical Cupboard. PDF Printable Version

Melvin Milton Kennedy

April 25, 1919 - February 23, 2014