Melvin F. Duwa

 Melvin Francis Duwa, 101, of Lost Nation, died Monday, June 27, 2022, at Wheatland Manor.

Services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, July 1, 2022 at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lost Nation, with Father Francis Odoom officiating, with a one hour visitation prior to his service. A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 30 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Lost Nation.  Burial will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lost Nation.  Dawson Funeral Services is caring for his family .  

Melvin was born Aug. 26, 1920, in Riverside, Washington County, the son of Albert and Zitta Waldschmidt Duwa. He graduated from St. Mary's High School in Riverside. He served in the Army Air Force from 1942-1946. He was proud of being one of all five brothers serving their country during World War II. Melvin married Gladys “Irene” Gingerich on Oct. 28, 1943, at the Army Air Force Base in Albuquerque, N.M. After serving 43 months, he was discharged. He then started working as a mechanic at Knoll Motors in Iowa City, while living in Coralville. Melvin got the desire to farm, so a move to West Branch was made, while continuing to work off the farm.  The couple moved to Lost Nation, where he continued farming and started working in the foundry at Clinton Engines in Maquoketa. He retired from farming in 1983.   Melvin was a member of the church, American Legion Menzo Widle Post 381, and Farm Bureau. He enjoyed family gatherings and vacations, woodworking and tinkering in his shop and house, helping Tim on the farm, looking at the crops, and back in the day, helping prepare the diamond at Gilroy Rustic Park for ball games.   Memorials may be made to a foundation or charity of your choice in Melvin's name. 

Survivors include four children, LaVonne (Gary) Gleason, of Bettendorf, Karen (Jim) Hamann, of Long Grove, Vicki (Tom) Shady, of West Liberty, and Tim (Jackie) Duwa, of Lost Nation; two daughters-in-law, Kathy (Jerry) Morrison, of Marion, and Melodee (Richard Shewmake) Duwa, of DeWitt; 11 grandchildren, Mark, Jason, Michele, Ken, Bonnie, Renee, Joe, Jeremy, Kim, Matthew, and Marisa; 22 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Lucille Duwa, of Hills.

He was preceded in death by his wife; two sons, David and Danny; a granddaughter, Angie; a great-grandson, Tyler; three sisters and four brothers.

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