Melvin Joseph Holubar

1928 - 2024

Melvin (Mel) Joseph Holubar, age 96, of Summit Point Senior Living Community in Marion, Iowa, passed away peacefully on August 21, 2024 surrounded by his children. A vigil service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, August 26, 2024, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, followed by a Rosary led by members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church at 4 p.m. A visitation will be held following the Rosary until 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, conducted by Father Neil Manternach. A livestream of the service can be accessed on the church's website at https://youtube.com/live/aiPN9sRVkNA?feature=share. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at St. Mary's Cemetery in Solon, Iowa, with Military Honors. Mel was born July 6, 1928, to Roy and Mayme (Shima) Holubar on his parent's farm in Solon, Iowa. He graduated from Solon High School in 1945 and continued farming with his parents. One of the first major projects he undertook on the farm alongside his father was to design and construct a state of the art granary that had an inside elevator. This would store both ear corn and oats and was completed in 1947. Following this, Mel and his father designed and constructed a machine shed in 1948. Mel attributes his carpentry skills to his father. After a flood in 1950 washed away the original wooden bridge that served as the only access to the farm, Mel designed and constructed a new bridge made of steel I-beams and a concrete pad. In 1953, another two buildings were built simultaneously, one being a hog barn and the other a corn crib. Mel was very proud that all his buildings and the bridge are still in use today. Mel served in the Army during the Korean War from 1951-53. Upon his return, he again took up farming and had a request from the American Legion in Solon to help start the first Boy Scout Troop 120 in Solon. This troop still continues today. Being interested in agriculture, he also helped start the first 4-H Club, named 'The Big Grove Buddies' in 1949. Mel received his BA from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, followed by his BSME degree from the University of Iowa. During this time he also met his future wife, Carolyn Ann Locher. They married on August 16, 1958. Carolyn introduced Mel to classical music early in their marriage. You could often find them listening to various artists at home, in the car or at orchestra concerts. In 1960, Mel started his employment with Collins Radio, later renamed Rockwell Collins as a Mechanical Design Engineer and later an Engineering Manager. During his employment, he received his Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Iowa. Mel and Carolyn welcomed five children into their family. They moved to an acreage in rural Marion, where the family started raising sheep. Soon they added a pony, cats, a dog and later added several steers. You could always find Mel outside working up fallen trees, gardening, making fences, painting, or making renovations to the family home. He was an avid beer can collector and had a substantial collection that was prominently displayed in their basement. Mel also took each of his children to the Boundary Waters region in Northern Minnesota, where they camped, canoed, portaged, fished, and enjoyed many bonfires for a week at a time. Mel was involved in a prominent government contract through Collins. This included a telecommunications system for the presidential aircraft, Air Force One. He was a charter member of the NE Iowa Section of ASME, served as Chairman from 1966-67 and was a member for many years. Mel was a Class II Director and representative of ASME at the then, Eastern Iowa Science Fair, and became Director of the Fair in 1968. In 1970 he wanted to rekindle his interest in the Boy Scouts of America. For the next 25 years, he served as Scout Leader with several Cub and Boy Scout troops. Mel joined Post No. 0298 of the Marion American Legion. He was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Marion Sunrisers and celebrated his 50th Anniversary with the Kiwanis in February, 2023. Mel spent time volunteering at the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library as a docent and was a representative of the Museum Guild on the NCSML Board. Mel was a proud 77 year member of the Catholic Order of Foresters (COF). In later years, Mel was elected to the Iowa State Court as a Trustee. Following that, he was elected as a COF High Court Trustee. Mel was also a Charter Member of the Knights of Columbus, Joseph C. Carroll Council 5390 in Marion. Mel and Carolyn took up skiing later in life and enjoyed skiing in 53 different resorts throughout the United States. In 1990, they skied the Alps in Austria which fulfilled a dream they both had. After retiring in 1993, he and Carolyn enjoyed traveling to many memorable places throughout the world. Being a Mechanical Engineer, Mel wanted to see some outstanding mechanical achievements. This included the Panama Canal, Great Wall of China, Pyramids of Giza, Pantheon in Rome, and the Acropolis in Greece. Mel was very proud of his Czech heritage and in 2011 they traveled to Prague. While there, they visited the village of Lisnice (East of Prague) where Mel was able to visit the home of his great-great-grandparents who left in 1855 when they immigrated to Iowa and bought land in the Iowa City-Solon area. Mel was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and proud season ticket holder enjoying 33 years of Iowa Football. He and Carolyn attended many bowl games over the years, the 1st being the 1959 Rose Bowl where the Hawkeye's were victorious. Each year, Mel would take one of his children to a home game where they would cheer on the Hawks. One of Mel's proudest moments was in 2014 when he took the Honor Flight from Cedar Rapids to Washington D.C., accompanied by his son Rob where they viewed various war memorials. Carolyn was the true love of his life. They were married for 63 years until her passing in 2022. He adored their five children and the time he spent with them. Mel would often be found on the family farm helping with numerous projects and helping Ron with the harvest. He and Carolyn visited Candace yearly in Texas and especially enjoyed Thanksgiving with her family. Many trips and cruises were taken with Bonnie, and she could often be found helping them on their acreage. Kay and her family lived next door to them for 17 years, many bonfires and family meals were shared. Rob and Mel enjoyed each other's company at the par 3 golf courses and driving ranges. Mel played a very special role in the lives of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Left to cherish Mel's memory are his son, Ron (Mary) Holubar of Solon, daughter, Candace (Mark) Ifflander of Coppell, Texas, daughter, Bonnie Holubar of Marion, daughter, Kay (Oscar) Sanchez of Marion, and son, Rob (Jennifer) Holubar of Timnath, Colorado; 13 grandchildren, Courtney, Tom, Ashley, Kylie, Elly, Ryan, Colton, Ariana, Brandon, Sarah, Emily, Hannah, and Elizabeth; and five great-grandchildren, Ellyn, Mason, Kaden, Bennett, and Lyndin. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy and Mayme (Shima) Holubar, his wife Carolyn (Locher) Holubar; infant son, Melvin and sister Margene Meis. The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the staff and tenants at Summit Pointe Senior Living Community as well as Mercy Home Care and Hospice of Mercy. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, Iowa 52302. Please share a memory of Mel at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.