David "Elmer" Melby was born June 8, 1951, to parents
Willard and Rowana (TenEyck) Melby in Moorhead, Iowa.
When he was four years old the family moved to Dunlap.
He attended Dunlap High School, and then entered the
United States Army. After his discharge from the Army,
he worked at IBP, Dunlap Fertilizer, Cogdill Farm
Supply, Dunlap Coop, and recently with Harold Melby
Construction.
On July 1, 1978, Elmer married Janelle Schlensig at
St. John Lutheran Church. Elmer was a member of St.
John Lutheran Church, American Legion, and the Dunlap
Fire and Rescue Unit for 25 years, and had been Fire
Chief from 1990-1993. He also served on the Dunlap
City Council, and served as the Mayor Pro-tem for a
short time.
Elmer died Tuesday, April 29, 2003 at Crawford County
Memorial Hospital in Denison, reaching the age of 51
years, 10 months, and 21 days.
Elmer was preceded in death by his parents; sister,
Connie Melby; and niece, Amy Wingrove.
Survivors include his wife, Janelle, of Dunlap;
children, Darcy and husband Nick Behrendt of Dunlap,
Doug Melby and wife Traci of Omaha, Neb., Teresa, Pam,
and Emily Melby all of Dunlap; five grandchildren;
brothers, Roger Melby and wife Pat of Woodbine, Harold
Melby, Royce Melby, Wayne (Doc) Melby and wife Karen,
Rick Melby and wife Jean all of Dunlap; sisters, Karen
and husband Loren Holtorf of Glendale, Ariz., Diane
and husband Dan Heffernan and Marsha and husband Rick
Wingrove all of Dunlap; and many other family and
friends.
Funeral services were held Friday morning, May 2,
2003, at St. John Lutheran Church in Dunlap at 10:30
a.m. with Rev. Carla Ingebretson officiating.
Musicians were Lauri Boysen and Jerry Baldwin.
Selection was "Be Not Afraid."
Interment was made at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in
Dunlap. Honorary bearers were Dunlap Fire and Rescue.
Bearers were Roger Melby, Harold Melby, Royce Melby,
Wayne Melby, Rick Melby, Loren Holtorf, Rick
Wingrove,
Dan Heffernan. Military Graveside Services were by
American Legion Post 224. Fouts Funeral Home of Dunlap
was in charge of arrangements.
Courtesy Michael Higgins
©The Dunlap Reporter 2003
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