Melvin Roy Barthelman

KALONA ? Melvin Roy Barthelman, 72, of Kalona, died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at his home following a sudden illness.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, at the Full Gospel Revival Center in Kalona with the Rev. Ron Breese officiating. Burial will follow at the Sharon Hill Cemetery in Kalona. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. Memorial funds will be used to establish scholarships at the Mid-Prairie and Sigourney school districts.

Mr. Barthelman was born Dec. 5, 1943, in Oskaloosa, the son of Roy E. and Nadine (Scharff) Barthelman. He married Connie Grimm on Jan. 25, 1963, in Des Moines.

He was raised on a farm and graduated from North Mahaska High School in 1962. In 1965 he and his wife moved to Aurora, Illinois, where he worked as a machinist for Caterpillar for 25 years. After moving to Kalona, he owned and operated Barthelman Construction for 17 years. In his retirement he enjoyed going to car auctions and shuttling vehicles for Kalona Auto. He was a member of the Full Gospel Revival Center. He enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, especially attending their sporting events. He was a die-hard Hawkeyes fan and loved the Cubs, Bears, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Surviving are his wife, Connie, of Kalona; four children, Kim Barthelman and wife Brenda of Kalona, Kelli Pitz and husband Jeff of Dubuque, Scott Barthelman and wife Kimberly of Kalona, and Troy Barthelman and wife Heather of Sigourney; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Charles Barthelman and spouse Willie of Michigan; and one sister, Pamela Barthelman McGriff and husband Dick of Montezuma.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his stepfather, John Van Maanen.