Melvin Gesme 1886-1984

GESME, HOLDER, BANKS, WILKIE, FLETCHER, HALL, LEASE, RAUN

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 4/25/2024 at 07:39:05

2 May 1984 - The Tipton Conservative

Funeral services for Melvin L. Gesme, 98, a Tipton businessman for more than 54 years, were held in the Sheets and Son funeral home April 27 with the Rev. Eric Kutzil officiating. Mrs. Nancy Hipple was vocalist and Mrs. Jan Penningroth was organist.

Burial was in Brush Point cemetery, Hanlontown, with graveside services.

Mr. Gesme died at Beverly Manor Nursing home, Iowa City, April 24.

The son of Lewis and O-Lena Overson Gesme, he was born at Mt. Horeb, Wis., March 12, 1886. He... town high school and attended a business college at Decorah.

He was married to Pearl W. Holder at Nashua April 10, 1967.

A resident of Tipton for more than 62 years he operated Gesme Dry Goods for 54 years, 3 months and 10 days. He purchased the variety store from Fred Burlingame Sept. 20, 1920 and over the years, changed it to an exclusively dry goods store. When he sold the business to Mr. and Mrs. Darrell Blayney Jan. 1, 1975 he was Tipton's oldest businessman.

Mr. Gesme was a member of Trinity Lutheran church and a charter member of the Moose lodge in Tipton.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Luella Banks, Tipton; a step-daughter, Mrs. Art (Helen) Wilkie, Davenport; a step-son, Harold Fletcher, Cedar Rapids; 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren; 4 great-great-grandchildren and 3 sisters, Mrs. Leona Hall, Hanlontown; Mrs. Lester (Myrtle) Lease, Wesley and Mrs. Sophia Raun, Lake Mills.

He was preceded in death by 2 wives, a sister and 5 brothers.