Dr. Melvin L. Scheffel

Melvin LeRoy Scheffel, one of eight children of Mae Anna (Spoerke) and Dr. William Emanuel Scheffel, was born on April 6, 1924 in Tyndall, South Dakota. He graduated from Tyndall High School in 1942, Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota in 1945; Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska in 1949, where he received his Degree in Medicine; and the University of Nebraska in Omaha in 1973, where he received his Degree in Pediatrics.

In 1950, Dr. Scheffel began practice in Malvern, Iowa. He worked for 22 years as a family doctor and surgeon at his office on Main Street, serving many families throughout Southwest Iowa. He was also on the medical staff at Mercy Hospital and Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa, as well as several hospitals in Omaha. Dr. Scheffel was also a professor at both the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Creighton University in Omaha. In 1973, Dr. Scheffel worked in the Children's Hospital Pediatric Emergency in Omaha, until his retirement in 1987.

Melvin and Ardis Chudomelka were married on October 23, 1949 in Omaha. They made their home in Malvern and their marriage was blessed with three children, Andrea, Lori, and Scott. In 1971, they moved to Omaha. He and Ardis made their home on Lake Manawa in Council Bluffs in 1982.

Dr. Scheffel was a member of the Broadway United Methodist Church in Council Bluffs, a 32nd degree Mason, and a Tangier Shriner. He was a member of the American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Family Practice and Metro Omaha Medical Society.

Dr. Scheffel and Ardis enjoyed spending time at their place in the Black Hills of South Dakota. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, and was an active conservationist, having planted hundreds, even thousands, of trees throughout the years. Doc especially enjoyed spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends.

Dr. Scheffel and Ardis were married 61 years, when he passed away on September 16, 2011 at the Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha. He attained the age of 87 years, 5 months and 10 days.

Dr. Scheffel was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Andrea Scheffel; sisters, Mae Scheffel and Helen Cokeley; brothers, William Scheffel, Dr. Alfred Scheffel, and Orville Scheffel.

Dr. Scheffel is survived by his loving wife, Ardis Scheffel of Council Bluffs; daughter, Lori Calder and husband Steve of Liberty, MO; son, Scott Scheffel and wife Dorene of Council Bluffs; seven grandchildren, Jason Calder and wife Cheryl, Katherine Calder, Suzanne Calder, Melynda (Scheffel) Emerson and husband James, Jenna Scheffel and Kelso King, Jerrod Scheffel, and Mikael Scheffel; three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Victoria, and Joel Calder; brother, Dr. Lloyd Scheffel and wife Mary of Mount Prospect, IL and twin brother, Dr. Alvin Scheffel and wife Mae of Estherville, IA; other relatives; and many friends.

A memorial fund has been established.