Eugene "Gene" Phillip Melby

Eugene “Gene” Phillip Melby, 82, of Castana, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly, Saturday, December 23, 2023, at his home.

A funeral service will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, December 29, 2023, at Soldier Lutheran Church, Soldier, Iowa, with Pastor Paul Coen, officiating. A live stream of the service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home website with Gene’s obituary. Burial will follow at the Center Cemetery, Castana, Iowa. A visitation will be 5:00-7:00 P.M. Thursday, December 28, 2023, at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel, Onawa, Iowa, with a 7:00 P.M. prayer service. Arrangements are under the direction of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

Eugene Phillip was born June 16, 1941, in Soldier, Iowa, the son of Cleo and Marjorie (Karr) Melby. He grew up on a farm near Soldier, Iowa and later moved to Castana in 1952. Gene attended school in Castana and graduated in 1960.

Gene and Shirley McCall were united into marriage on July 14, 1963. In 1968 the couple purchased Shirley’s parents’ farm. The couple moved in 1986 to their current farm where they have resided.

Gene was a mechanic in Moorhead for several years. He was a life-long farmer and he deeply enjoyed farming the land and using his hard-working hands. He was a man of great strength who was devoted to his wife and kids.

He was a member of the Soldier Lutheran Church.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Melby of Castana, Iowa; son, Stephen Melby of Castana, Iowa; brother, Russell (Cindy) Melby of Castana, Iowa; sister, Janice (Terry) Payne of Wooldridge, Missouri; brother-in-law, Dennis (Linda) McCall; sister-in-law, Mary Jane (Bill) Jacobson of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Cleo and Marjorie (Karr) Melby; sons, Todd Melby and Phillip Melby; sister, Janet Nelson; and brother, Roger Melby.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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