Mel Snakenberg

SIGOURNEY-Melbourne "Mel" Snakenberg, age 91, of Sigourney, died Thursday, August 17, 2017, at the Keokuk County Health Center in Sigourney. Mel was born November 4, 1925, in North Plank Township, Keokuk County, Iowa, to Emory and Lottie (Hahn) Snakenberg. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Mel then returned to Sigourney and graduated from Sigourney High School in 1948. On March 22, 1953, he married Marie Hahn at her parents' home in South English. The couple lived and farmed in the Sigourney area from 1954 until 1983. Mel then was a custodian for the University of Iowa from 1987 until his retirement in 1999. He was a member of the Sigourney United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife: Marie of Sigourney; three sons: David (Jeri) Snakenberg of Sioux City, John (Pam) Snakenberg of Tallahassee, Florida and George (Kitty) Snakenberg of Ollie; three grandsons: J.J. (Shawna) Snakenberg, Seth Snakenberg and Schuyler (Angela) Snakenberg; four great grandchildren: Jaxton, Shae, Esther and Vaughn; half-brother: Don Snakenberg of Packwood and half-sister: LuAnn VanDyne of Springfield, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister: Mareva Strobel; half-brother: Larry Snakenberg and granddaughter: Whitney Snakenberg.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 26, 2017, at the Sigourney United Methodist Church, with Pastors Shannon Pascual and Vince Homan officiating. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Sigourney at a later date. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the Sigourney United Methodist Church or Hospice of Keokuk County. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Sigourney is caring for Mel and his family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.