Published in The Daily Nonpareil on 11/6/2008
Council Bluffs IA

Melvin Lake, 78, of Floresville, Texas, formerly of McClelland, Iowa,
passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at the Floresville Nursing Center,
Floresville, Texas.

He was born May 30, 1930, in McClelland, the son of Tom and Ethel
(Swigart) Lake. Melvin never married. He graduated from Underwood High
School in 1948 and after graduation he joined the Air National Guard for
four years. Mel was a Claim Adjuster for State Farm Insurance in Hayward,
Calif., and owned Trash and Treasures Antique Shop until returning to
Iowa in 1980. He purchased the McClelland Lumber Yard and operated a used
car dealership. In the 90's Mel spent winters in Texas and in 1998 moved
to Pandora, Texas. On weekends Mel would sell antiques at the local flea
market until they closed in 2003.

Mel was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Ethel Lake; sister
and brother-in-law, Eileen and Ralph Opitz.

He is survived by a brother, Vernon Lake and wife Judy of Council Bluffs;
nieces, nephews and friends. Mel wished to be cremated with no services.