Nuckolls, Melvin N. - 1917-2011

BARNES, GEIST, NUCKOLLS, PEMBROKE, PHILLIPS, RICE, VAN WEELDEN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/8/2024 at 13:36:53

Dr. Melvin N. Nuckolls, D.V.M., beloved father, grandfather, and longtime and well respected resident of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, December 1, 2011, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, at the age of 94. He was born August 2, 1917, at Westboro, Missouri, the son of Leland Earl and Elizabeth M. Noble Nuckolls. After the death of his father in 1919, his mother married Taber Templeton Rice, who became a wonderful father figure until his death in 1958. In 1940, he graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. On July 28, 1940, he was united in marriage to Arlene Geist at Shenandoah, and Arlene died July 6, 2004. Doc served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II, and attained the ranked of Captain. He practiced Veterinary Medicine in Oskaloosa from 1946 until retiring in 1995, and was highly regarded as both a large and small animal practitioner. Doc was a member of the Central United Methodist Church, Oskaloosa, a 32nd Degree Mason; and a 64 year member of the Oskaloosa American Legion.
His family includes his two daughters and their husbands: Pam and Don Barnes of Urbandale and Jill and Jerry Van Weelden of Ocala, Florida; two grandsons: Todd Pembroke and Joe (Sue) Van Weelden; three great-granddaughters; two step-grandsons: Ben (Georgia) Barnes and Chad (Katie) Barnes, and their children; a sister: Betty Rice Phillips of Dubuque; a sister in law: Isabelle Nuckolls of Paton, Iowa, and five nieces.
In addition to his wife, Doc was preceded in death by his parents; his step father; a grandson: Chad Pembroke; and a brother: Denver Lee Nuckolls.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 6, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the Gateway Church of the Nazarene in Oskaloosa, with the Reverend David Childers officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, with graveside military rites given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion, V.F.W., and D.A.V. at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Monday after 10 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-7 p.m. Monday to greet friends and relatives. Memorials may be directed to Mahaska Hospice; Harry L. Anderson Post 34, American Legion; or a charity of the donor's choice. The family wishes to thank his caregivers, Donna, Nola, and Shelly, and the staff at both the Mahaska Hospital and Iowa Methodist Medical Center for their loving care.
Published in Des Moines (IA) Register; Sunday, December 4, 2011, page 9B