Melvin Carl Fedler

Melvin (Mel) C. Fedler, 72, of Tipton, died peacefully in his home with his family by his side. To honor Mel's wishes the body has been cremated and there will be no services. Interment will be at a later date in Wausau, WI. A memorial has been established in his memory with proceeds directed to Camp Courageous and the Tipton Senior Dining Center. Mel was born January 17, 1939 in Evanston, Illinois to Carl G. and Alice Ann Fraune Fedler. At the age of one Mel's family moved to Donnelson, Iowa. Mel attended West Point High School and served in the Army Reserves. He was united in marriage to Carole Huette in 1964 in Ft. Madison. They later divorced. Together they had Jeff (deceased) and Debbie Verduin of South Bend, IN. In 1984 Mel was united in marriage to Sandy Hoppe in Tipton at the United Methodist Church. Mel worked for Sheller-Globe in Iowa City for over 20 years and after his retirement he worked for Strackbein's in Tipton for 6 years as the parts manager. He was a member of the Tipton United Methodist Church, the Tipton Lions Club and the Tipton Senior Dining Center. Mel was an avid race fan. He worked on the pit crews of both Dick Hutcherson and Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa. He helped with Simmons Promotions in West Liberty, Iowa. A fan of John Deere, he was very proud of his toy collection. Mel is survived by his wife, Sandy of Tipton; daughter, Debbie (Scott) Verduin of South Bend, Indiana and grandchildren, Alexis, Austin (the John Deere Man) and Kayla Verduin; sisters, Nadine Cuccia of California and Mary Rose Fedler of Fort Madison, Iowa; brothers, Jerry (Carol) Fedler of Fort Madison, Iowa and Dennis Fedler of Arizona; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Special friends, Melva Mueller of Tipton and Helen Fiereisen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jerry and Elaine Hoppe of Mosinee, Wisconsin; Brenda and Kirk Authier of Vinton, Iowa; and "The Breakfast Bunch". He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Jeff; brothers, Danny Joe and Mike; stepmothers, Mary Louise (Menke) Fedler and Vera Fedler; and his mother-in-law, Wilma Hoppe. A special 'thank you' to the Iowa City Hospice, Mercy Hospital of Iowa City, and Dr.'s Ashby, Ajax, Eberly and Feeley.