Melvin Arp

Melvin K. Arp, 68, a resident of Eldridge, died Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

A family directed memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2017 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pleasant Valley. Memorials may be made to Scott County 4-H or the University of Iowa Holden Cancer Center. McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf is assisting the family with arrangements.

Born on July 6, 1948 in Davenport, Melvin was the son of LaVerne J. and Verna A. (Claussen) Arp. On September 17, 1994, he married Kathleen Kloppenborg.

Melvin graduated from Bettendorf High School, beginning his education in a one room school house. Growing up on the farm, Melvin was very active in 4-H, showing livestock, and enjoyed the county fair. He then attended the Morrison Institute of Technology. Melvin worked on the farm all of his life in LeClaire. He also worked for Rock Island Auction, and Pleasant Valley Schools as a groundskeeper.  Melvin enjoyed bowling and getting together with his friends for breakfast, coffee and playing cards. He had an extensive dairy bottle collection.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Kathleen; sister, Evalea McBride of Bettendorf; a former brother-in-law, John McBride; brother, DuWayne (Sandra) Arp of Durango, Iowa; nieces and nephews, Erin (Jason) Platt, Wyeth Platt, Heidi McBride, Sean (Erica Springer) McBride, Josh McBride, Amy (Paul) Wachter, and Mallory Wachter; an aunt, Jeanette Claussen; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Kenneth.