Melvin LeRoy Lust

Melvin LeRoy Lust, 76, of Newton died on September 2, 2023, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.  A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 15, 2023, at the First United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service and again after the service with a lunch at the church. Memorials in Melvin’s name (checks made payable to Jana Lust) may be left at the church the day of the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.

Melvin, the son of Hollis and Nina (Bennett) Lust, was born on January 27, 1947 in Newton.  He grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School in 1965.  Melvin worked at the Feed Bag Restaurant before serving his country in the US Navy, where he was on the USS Kittyhawk and did three tours in Vietnam. After returning from the service, Melvin worked for Winpower, Inc., Newton Furnisher, Pizza House, and Hiland, Inc. On July 2, 1976, Melvin was united in marriage with Jana B Fahrney in Newton. Melvin worked for many years for the Jasper County Hwy Department, retiring in 2002. After retirement, Melvin did maintenance at the First United Methodist Church and then helped out at Webb’s R.V. Park in Hartford for 14 years.

Melvin was a member of the First United Methodist Church.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and wood crafts.  He was a true handy man.  He also loved dogs and enjoyed taking care of Mr. Gibs.  Above all though, he found his true happiness in time spent with his grandchildren.

Those left to honor Melvin’s memory are his wife, Jana Lust of 47 years; children, Micky Lust (William Hurbert) and Monte (Mishone) Lust, both of Newton; his grandchildren, Johnna (Joe) Kain, Chaz Howard, Brenna (Abbie) Lust-Smith, Riley Lust, and Alainna (Jace) Hackworth; great-grandchildren, Jazmine, Kyla, and Hollis; an aunt, Cheryl Campbell; and his nephew, Mike (Barb) Mickelson. He is also survived by close friends, John and Dianne Monroe, Dale and Linda Webb, Ira and Sue Dickman, and Darrell and Sue Ely.  Melvin is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Barb (Loren) Mickelson.