Melvin L. Conley

Melvin L. Conley, 92, of Mt. Vernon, died on Sunday, March 8, 2015, at the VA Medical Center, Iowa City. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2015, at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services (formerly Morgan's), Mt. Vernon, by Celebrant Mary Morgan. Military honors by Busch-Dennis American Legion Post 309. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Private family burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mechanicsville. Survivors include his son, Loren (Roxanna) Conley; daughter, Linda (Dan) Gaines, all of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren, Mike Conley of Mt. Vernon, Kurt Gaines of Iowa City, and Melissa (Brad) Beachel of Marion; special friends, Claire and Sadie Stabenow of Mechanicsville; and many nieces and nephews. Melvin was born March 20, 1922, in Jones County, the son of John and Lulu (Aldrich) Conley. He attended country school and then joined the US Army serving in the Pacific during World War II. He returned to the Mt. Vernon area and farmed for his entire life. On July 3, 1945, he married Dona Busch in Mechanicsville. She died in 2010. He enjoyed animals, gardening, golfing, and bowling. Melvin was a member of Busch-Dennis American Legion Post 309. He will be remembered for his kindness, gentle touch and was a friend to everyone. Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; son, Dean; and ten siblings. Memorials are suggested to the Mechanicsville Avenue of Flags, in care of the American Legion Post 309 Auxiliary, PO Box 73, Mechanicsville, Iowa 52306.