Rev. Arno Hugo Melz
December 29, 2016
Reverend Arno Hugo Melz, 82, was called to his heavenly home on December 29, 2016. Services will be held at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 3900 Ashworth Rd in West Des Moines on Wednesday, January 4 with visitation from 9 to 11:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be at Jordan Cemetery in West Des Moines.
Arno was born to Hugo and Bertha Melz. After graduation, he married Opal Davidson and attended seminary in Springfield, IL. He served churches in West Texas for more than 5 years and Christ Lutheran in Waterloo, IA for more than 31 years. After retiring, he moved to Urbandale, IA and served as visiting pastor at Shepherd of the Valley and Trinity Lutheran in Des Moines and as vacancy pastor at churches in Van Meter, Carlisle, Chariton, Lacona, Dallas-Melcher, and Indianola.
He is survived by his wife, Opal; daughter, Marianne (Frank) Ksiazak; son, David (Lori) Melz; grandchildren, Samantha and Haley Melz, Ian, Emma and Isabella Ksiazak; and brother, Harlan (Connie) Melz. Arno was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Gilda Steinfeldt.
Thank you to Karen and Dr. Shah at Broadlawns Geriatric Medicine and Memory Center, Dr. Peng and the IM Team C doctors at Mercy Hospital, staff at Mercy 9S and 8S, and staff at the HCI Kavanagh House.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Shepherd of the Valley Church and HCI Kavanagh House. Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Marilyn Christian (Nieuwenhuis)
01/17/2018
I just heard of Pastor Melz passing! I'm SO sorry, condolences to his family. He was a sincere gentle kind caring and sweet man. A rare find. He will be greatly missed.
Cherish Rose
07/11/2017
Rev. Melz officiated our wedding 11 years ago. He was a sweet genuine man. You could tell he had a heart of gold. My thoughts are with his family.
Mary and Melvin Moon,
01/14/2017
So sorry to hear of Pastor Meltz's passing. We enjoyed having him at St. John Lutheran Church in MelcherDallas! What a blessing he was for our congregation! Loved him dearly!
Joel Bader
01/04/2017
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Rev. Melz. He mentored the singles' group at Shepherd of the Valley church, which helped me move on after I had a falling out with the girl whom I had been dating for a long time. Although I am now involved with different ways to meet singles people, I will forever remember the kindness of Rev. Melz and his singles group during those dark times.
Bill and Karla Hunt and family
01/04/2017
To: Mrs. Melz and family:
We were so sorry to hear of Pastor Melzs passing. We have such good memories of him. He was kind of a fixture in our neighborhood for all the years he was at Christ Lutheran. Also, I believe Marianne graduated from Central High School with our son, Bryan. One special memory is when Pastor Melz agreed to baptize our grandson, Wesley, and later our granddaughter, Hanna, even though Danas family was not part of the Christ Lutheran parish. He even picked Wesley up one summer so he could attend Vacation Bible School there. Although Pastor Melz will certainly be missed by many, knowing that he is in the presence of our Lord now must be of great comfort to you.
Don Tayor
01/04/2017
Opal: Mary and I are your old neighbors from S Hackett St in Waterloo. Our son, Pat, was amost a daily visitor to Rev Melz's train set! We are sorry to hear of his passing and we are thinking of you and your family.
Bruce and Nancy Kawahara
01/04/2017
To Marianne, Frank and family; to Mrs. Opal Melz:
Our deepest sympathies for the loss of your father and husband. We last saw him at Ian's celebration as he was visiting with everyone there. May your deep grief be soon replaced by memories of your best times together. Nancy and Bruce
Shawna Kuehl (Scarbrough)
01/04/2017
I am so sorry for the loss of Pastor Melz. He taught my so much about the Lord and his love and forgiveness and I will always remember him for that. He even traveled back to Waterloo to officiate my wedding and baptize my niece. He has a very special spot in my heart and I know that he had a very special spot in heaven waiting for him as well. God bless.
The Bohlen Family
01/04/2017
We just found out about Pastor Melz homegoing. If we would have known sooner, please know we all would have been there. What a dear man who traveled our family's journeys right along side us. He was truly an angel sent from above. Not sure if words can even express what an impact he had on our entire family. He will always have a special place in all of our hearts!! We are saddened by this news but are rejoicing that this friend of ours is with his Heavenly Father. Our prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Since we were not blento be there with you today we would love to come visit soon. Love, The Bohlen's. Herman, Sheila, Deb, Shelly, Teri, Kris and our families.
Lynn and Gary Willoughby
01/04/2017
So sorry for your loss. Pastor Melz was truly a Blessing to our church. Thank you so much for sharing him with us.
Dianna Wiegert
01/04/2017
Marianne, Frank, & family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time. May you find comfort in sharing your memories with family and friends. God Bless You.
Trudy Scott
01/04/2017
Pastor Mela was an angel on earth to our family. He kind!y stood by us and brought us through the death of my husband, the marriage of my niece, the death of my brother. Before my brothers death he visited him many times in the nursing home and hospital. Throughout the years he kept us strong with his everlasting faith and devotion to our Saviour. Thank you Pastor Mela may you rest in peace!
Gary Glawe
01/03/2017
Opal, Marianne, David and families--I was sorry to read of the passing of Pastor Melz. He always had an easygoing approach to whatever he was doing. Our family has thought of him often in the years, since he left Christ Lutheran Church.
Kaylene and Doug Crouch
01/03/2017
To the family.
What a wonderful man Pastor Melz was, such an example of Jesus to everyone he touched. He modeled love patience and kindness, plus he never met a stranger. He will be missed.
Dennis Steele
01/03/2017
To the family of Pastor Melz- Thank you for sharing Pastor Melz with the children and staff of ChildServe. His kindness, love, and devotion to our children was unique and wonderful. Pastor Melz enriched the lives of countless children and young adults through his ministry here. May he rest in peace and may all of you be comforted in your time of sorrow.