Melburn Baethke Obituary's Obituary
Melburn 'Maul' Baethke, 86 of Centerville passed away Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville. Melburn was born to August & Bertha(Koehn) Baethke on August 13, 1922 in Riceville, Iowa. He married Marjorie Morgan on November 9, 1947 in What Cheer, Iowa. Melburn was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corps, serving during World War II. Melburn was employed by Mott Construction in Centerville and later finished his career with Appanoose County, working on the secondary roads. He was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Centerville and the Mystic American Legion Post #340. Melburn enjoyed time spent with his family especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren, listening to St. Louis Cardinals baseball games, gardening and the American Legion. He and his wife Marjorie enjoyed growing produce for the local farmers market and the many pre-school classes that visited their family farm. Melburn is survived by six children, Audrey Tudor(Steve) of Indianola, Michael Baethke(Nancy) of Indianola, Arlys Halvorson(Shawn) of Indianola, Sandra Vinzant(David) of Mystic, Max Baethke(Diana) of Owasso, OK, Morgan Baethke(Sue) of Lacona, 13 grandchildren, Matt Tudor(Melinda), Cindy Tudor, T.J. Freeborn, Bryan Berg, Kyle Berg, Tina Koestner, Chad Koestner(Courtney) T.J. Koestner(J.C.), Michael Vinzant(Maria), Katherine Vinzant, Missy Hedrick(Clint), Ashlee Gunsalus(Hardy), Emily Davis, 11 great grandchildren, John & Isaac Tudor, Jack & Ava Freeborn, Chloey Hart, Quinton & Alyssa Koestner, Zander Carson-Koestner, Ethan Vinzant and Logan & Hudson Hedrick, two brothers, Elmer Baethke of Keswick, Iowa and Floyd Baethke of Williamsburg, Iowa and a sister Viola George of North English, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie on May 14, 2009, his parents, grandson, Benjamin Tudor and a brother Merlen Baethke. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 12, 2009, at Thomas Funeral Home with Rev. Kathy Franzenburg officiating. Visitation will be all day Thursday with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Inurnment will be held in Highland Cemetery with full military rites. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given in Melburn's name which will be designated to the Mystic American Legion Post# 340 or the Legacy Foundation Hospice Room at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville, which may be left at or mailed to Thomas Funeral Home -- 23548 Hwy 5 -- PO BOX 125 -- Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be left at www.thomasfh.com. Book Travel to Services To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Melburn Baethke Obituary please visit our Sympathy Store.
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