G. Melvin Holdsworth

Clive

G. Melvin Holdsworth, 87, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2013 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. A Memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Friday at McLaren’s Chapel with inurnment at Resthaven Mausoleum.

Mel was born December 16, 1925 in St. Louis, MO to George Herman and Irene Gladys (Weaver) Holdsworth. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII from 1943 to 1949. Mel owned GMH Fluid Power and Machinery in Des Moines for 30-plus years. He retired to Naples, FL in 1991 and recently moved back to Clive in July 2013.

Mel was a councilman for the 2nd Ward in West Des Moines from 1976 to 1987. He was president of the Des Moines Golf and Country Club in 1983 and the creator of the “Mel Mobile”. Mel was a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, a Demolay Dad, in the Shriners and a 50-year member of the Scottish Rite Gnemeth Masonic Lodge. He liked spending time with his grandkids, fishing, golfing, hunting and boating.

Mel is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carol Holdsworth; daughter, Deb (Scott) Fabritz; son, Tom (Robin) Holdsworth; four grandchildren, Cody, Andrea, John and Connor; brother, Edward (Mary) Holdsworth. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Cheryl Lynn Deer.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at McLaren’s Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Nursing Education Program at Iowa Methodist Medical Center, 1200 Pleasant Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.

We would like to thank the caregivers at UnityPoint Methodist Hospitals and Ramsey Village Continuing Care Retirement Community for their loving care of Mel in his final days.