Melvin Roy Gibbs, 81, of Waterloo, died Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at UnityPoint-Allen Hospital. He was born July 29, 1942, in Manchester, Ia, son of Glen and Violet (Romig) Gibbs. He graduated from Edgewood-Colesberg High School. He then joined the United States Army, where he obtained the rank of Specialist 4th Class.

He married Jeneane Whitesell, they later divorced. He married Barbara Winter in 1984 at the Little Brown Church in the Vale. Melvin worked for John Deere for 36 years, retiring from the stockroom at the PEC in 2003.

Melvin liked fishing, especially in Minnesota, camping and boating. He also liked watching the Hawkeyes, and Westerns. Spending time with his grandsons was most important to him.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his children: Wendi Kay (Joe) Sill, Wendy Jo Winter, Dawn Marie Gibbs, Todd A Winter, and Shawn M (Amy) Gibbs, two grandsons that he raised: Codi Gibbs and Austin Gibbs; grandchildren: Jakob Winter, Sable Fehr, Henry Romero-Gibbs, and Hayden Gibbs; step-grandsons: Alex and Ryan Rozano; brother, Laverne (Carol) Gibbs, sisters: Lorraine LaGrange, and Gloria Ann (Harry) Robbins, and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Locke Garden View Chapel, 3655 Logan Ave, with visitation one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Military honors will be performed at Garden of Memories Cemetery by the Army National Guard, Waterloo VFW Post 1623, and American Legion Post 138. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, or the VFW Post 1623.