Melvin "Mel" Monson, age 65, of Davenport, Iowa, died on Tuesday, February 1, 2011, at Trinity Pathway Hospice-Bettendorf. Melvin was born September 22, 1945, in Quanah, Texas, to Alfred Monson and Capitola (Tallcott) Monson. Melvin married Susan Boedeker, on Feburary 29, 1996, at Lowden, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 5, 2011, at Zion United Church Of Christ in Lowden, Iowa, with Reverend Mark Buck and Reverend John Cofield officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Grass Cemetery, Blue Grass, Iowa. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 pm on Friday, February 4, at Chapman Funeral Home in Clarence. Mel grew up on a farm in Mercer County and graduated from Aledo High School in 1963. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and then worked at Walter Reed Hospital. While at Walter Reed he had the privilege to take care of President Lyndon Johnson's pet beagles. He had worked at John Deere as a state certified welder for 46 years until retirement. Mel enjoyed kids and especially his grandchildren. He also loved playing pool. He is survived by his wife: Susan; mother Capitola Monson of Davenport; daughters: Michelle (Kirk) Chan of Cary, Illinoi; Tamara (Joe) Jennings of Springfield, Illinois; Teri Ann (Hiro) Toyama of Darien, Illinois; son Michael Ray (Ericka) Monson of Waukegan, Illinois; 7 grandchildren; sisters: Anna (Bob) Garrett of Brimfield, Illinois, Lona (Lew) Webb of Kansas City, Missouri; brothers: Larry Monson of Kansas City, Missouri; and Bill (Robin) Monson of Davenport. Melvin was preceded in death by his father.