Melvin Leroy Berstler, age 69, died Sunday, October 16, 2005 at his home following an extended illness. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, October 19, 2005, First United Methodist Church, Marengo with Rev. Morris Hurd officiating. Burial will be in the Bishop Cemetery, rural Marengo. Friends may call from 3 to 8 P.M. Tuesday, October 18, 2005 at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. A memorial fund has been established.

Survivors include his wife, Ann; two sons, Ronald (Julia) of Williamsburg and Daniel (Becky) of Williamsburg; a daughter, Deborah Dee Recker (Mike) of Marengo; five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; a brother, Ira Wayne Berstler (Donna) of Marengo; and very special friends, Doug and Diana Lenton of Marengo. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lavon, and Howard.

Melvin Leroy Berstler was born January 20, 1936 in Poweshiek County, Iowa, the son of Samuel Merlin and Ruth Helen Newberry Berstler. He received his education in the English Valley schools and graduated from North English High School in 1954. He married Charlotte Ann VanDee Kerkove on May 28, 1955 in North English. Melvin was a technical electrician at Amana Refrigeration for 44 years, retiring in 1999.

He was a member of the National Rifle Association, and the Amana Union LL 1526.