Melvin L. Clothier

Melvin Leroy Clothier, the only child of Cecil Leroy and Ella Mae (Volquartsen) Clothier was born January 3, 1931, in Iowa City, Iowa. He graduated from Manning High School in 1949, then worked at the Manning Creamery Farm west of Manning that his father managed. He joined the U.S. Marine Reserves, then went to work for the railroad to earn money for college. In 1953, Melvin was drafted into the U.S. Army and volunteered for atomic bomb testing on a project known as Operation Upshot Knothole.
In 1958, Melvin was united in marriage with Donna Joens at the Zion Lutheran Church in Manning. Two children were born to this union. The family made their home on the south side of Chicago where Melvin worked in the accounting department of Michael Rees Memorial Hospital. While there, he completed a Masters Degree in Medical Administration at Northwestern University. In 1960, the family moved to Omaha and Melvin took a position as the Assistant Medical Administrator at Clarkson Hospital. His next positions took him to Atlantic, Iowa and then to the Lacrosse Lutheran Hospital and Clinics at Lacrosse, Wisconsin and La Crescent, Minnesota. In 1975, they returned to Iowa, moving to Harlan where he was the administrator at Myrtue Medical Center. From 1978 until his retirement in 1994, Melvin worked as Director of Medicaid for the State of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Throughout the years, Melvin was a member of the Kiwanis, Golden K, and the Optimist Club. He served as the President of the Shelby County Historical Society Museum in Harlan and was an active member of the Shelby County Democratic Party. Mel was a very kind and funny man who enjoyed making up songs as he went along and telling "Dad jokes." He was an avid reader of history, historic fiction and politics. He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors, camping with Donna, fishing and golfing.
On Monday, August 2, 2021, Melvin passed away at Myrtue Medical CenterI in Harlan, Iowa, following a brief period of declining health. He was 90 years, 6 months and 30 days of age.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents Cecil and Ella Clothier and Donna's parents Ben and Millie Joens.
He is survived by his wife Donna Clothier of Harlan; son Jeff Clothier and wife Jill of Des Moines; daughter Jennifer Lassner and husband Jason of Iowa City; four grandchildren: Julia, Brody and Tyler Lassner and Jessica Burt; a brother-in-law Roger Joens and wife Anne of Huntsville, Alabama; a niece Kim and a nephew Russ; and by other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Service on Thursday, August 5, 2021 ~ 11:00 AM at Ohde Funeral Home, Manning, Iowa

Reverend Jonathan Conner, Officiating, Pastor at Zion Lutheran Church, Manning, Iowa

Casket Bearers: Jeff Clothier, Jason Lassner, Brody Lassner, Tyler Lassner, Lavon Christensen, Dave Gaul

Recorded Music "How Great Thou Art" and "You'll Never Walk Alone"

Interment at Manning Cemetery, Manning, Iowa