Friends and family will gather at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 13th and a brief graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa, with full military honors. Memorials in Mel’s name may be directed to the Iowa Veteran’s Home. For additional information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call 641-844-1234.

Melvin Clarence Carter was born April 14, 1933, to Chester Huber and Margaret Carter (Wagner) in Marshalltown, Iowa. He was the second of three children of that marriage. Early in his life, Mel was adopted by Oliver Carter and later, another brother was soon a part of that family. Mel attended school in Marshalltown, Iowa. In 1950, he enlisted in the United States Navy where he received several merits including the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

On July 25, 1953, he was united in marriage to Shirley Partchey. From this union he had two sons and a daughter. He worked for the Marshalltown Trowel Company his entire adult life where he held several positions, including foreman over two shops and later retired. Shirley passed away in 2007, and in 2009, he was united in marriage to Ruth Carter (Mentor, Kent). They had celebrated several years of marriage together until the time of her passing in 2013.

Mel was a member of the Marshalltown VFW. In his free time, Mel enjoyed playing the guitar, singing and writing music. Throughout his adult life, he performed extensively around the Marshalltown area and later in life, played at numerous nursing homes in the area. He also played many games of Bingo and was a well-known Bingo Caller for many years.

Mel is survived by his 3 children: Steve (Judy) Carter, of Idaho Falls, ID, Rick (Margaret) Carter, of Ames, IA, and Linda Carter, of Appleton, MN; his 6 grandchildren: Erin (Chris) Wight, of Idaho Falls, ID, Bryan Davis, of St. Cloud, MN, Lisa (Jacob) Petersen, of Idaho Falls, ID, Mark Davis, of St. Cloud, MN, Matthew Carter, of Western Springs, Il, and Nate Carter, of Denver, CO; 11 great-grandchildren; and his 2 remaining siblings: Ardyce (Huber) Carter (Klinefelter), of Dewitt, IA, and Jerry Carter, of Waterloo, IA.

He is preceded in death by his spouses, Shirley Carter and Ruth Carter; his parents, Oliver Carter and Margaret Carter and his older brother Virgil Carter.