1934-2024
Melvin Dean Turk, 89, son of Arthur and Agnes Turk, was born June 8, 1934, in Shelby. He passed away Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Community Care Center, Stuart.
Mel graduated from Oakland High School and then enlisted into the United States Army. After he was honorably discharged, he enrolled at Iowa State University in Ames where he met and married Evelyn Andersen. One year later, they became the parents of twin boys, Mitchell Dean and Michael David. After completing his education, he taught school for two years, and then he began his career in the pharmaceutical field, working for several companies in sales and management. While living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, their third son, Matthew Darin, was born in 1967. They then moved back to the Des Moines area where the three boys graduated from Ankeny High School. Following living in Ankeny, they bought an old house near Saylorville Lake and spent about five years remodeling it inside and out. His next adventure was moving down to the lake home near Branson, Missouri, enjoying that life for several years until the boys convinced him he should move back up here near family in his old age.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents, his two beloved twin sons, Mitchell on Nov. 17, 2018, and Michael on March 2, 2023, and two older sisters, Audrey Zimmerman and Lavonne Rafuse.
He is survived by his son, Matthew (Pam) Turk of Hillsboro, Oregon; mother of his children, Evelyn Turk of Waukee; daughters-in-law, Deb Turk and Mari Turk; six grandchildren, Michelle (Mike) Porter, Adam (Michelle) Turk, Danny Turk, Sam (Bre) Turk, Jonathan (Sara) Turk and Zachary Turk; nine great-grandchildren; and sister, Mary Ann Graybill.
Graveside services will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, near Van Meter. Following the services, everyone is invited to Evy’s home in Waukee for fellowship.
Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, is entrusted with his services.