Private Family Graveside Services for Melvin will be held on Friday, July 17, 2020, at the Grant Twp. Cemetery near Pocahontas, Iowa.

Melvin John Barnhardt, age 94, passed away Saturday, July 11, 2020, at Pleasant View Home in Albert City, Iowa.

Melvin was born November 25, 1925, to John and Emma (Blohm) Barnhardt. He attended country school at Grant No. 3 until 7 ^th grade before attending Pocahontas Community School and graduating in 1945. Having lived on the family farm near Pocahontas most of his life, Melvin loved animals and the outdoors. While in high school, Melvin was a Charter Member of the Pocahontas FFA chapter and received the Iowa Farmer Degree, the first in Pocahontas. He was also a member of the Grant Guides 4-H Club, which he later went on to lead for many years.

In 1950, Melvin entered the Army. He was first stationed at Ft. Benning Georgia before being shipped overseas to serve in the Korean Conflict. While in South Korea, he served as a cook and was known as Sgt. Barney #1.

After serving his country, Melvin returned to the United States and married Leveta Hurley, of Curlew, on June 7, 1953, in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The couple called the Barnhardt family farm their home until 1987 when they moved their house to a knoll on the north edge of the farm. In his younger years, Melvin enjoyed showing Berkshire hogs at county fairs and, along with Leveta, raising Brown Swiss Cows. Together, Melvin and Leveta grew vegetables-a-plenty, exhibiting their produce at the Clay County Fair and other area fairs for more than 50 years. It is through the fairs and numerous weekends spent at flea markets that many friendships were made. In 2003, Melvin and Leveta were inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair.

Melvin was an avid Hawkeye fan, had a personality that could always make you laugh, and loved children - especially his grandchildren. After losing the love of his life in 2006, he moved to Pleasant View Home in 2009. It is here where he kept the nurses on their toes and earned the nickname of "Speedy" by outrunning the staff. Melvin had a sweet tooth, enjoying ice cream treats, chocolate peanut clusters, and apple fritters, along with the occasional handful of peanuts and Doritos.

Melvin is survived by his children: Randy (Clara) Barnhardt of Pocahontas; Sandy (Marv) Wipperling of Le Sueur, MN; and Candy Mullen and Dave Huegerich of Sac City; seven grandchildren: Allison (Tony), Abraham, Adam, Jesse, Casey, Jeanie, and Joey (Kylee); two great-grandchildren: Tyler and Aspen; and sister, Lucille Legler of Fort Dodge.

He is preceded in death by his wife Leveta; siblings Mildred Hunter, Doris Halder, and Harold Barnhardt, all of Pocahontas; son-in-law James Mullen of Sac City; and parents John and Emma.