Melvin R. Sickels, 93, of Waterloo, died on Monday, October 19, 2026, at his home under hospice care.

He was born October 6, 1933, in Waterloo, the son of Lewis and Hazel (Ballenger) Sickels. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He married Ann D’Arcy Curtis on March 19, 1971, in East Dubuque, Illinois.

Mel worked at John Deere for 26 years, starting on the assembly line. He retired in 1986 as an industrial engineer.

He was a member of Cedar Valley Church, where he also worked on the staff for many years. He was also a member of Waterloo Masonic Lodge No. 105 where he was Master of the Lodge in 1972. He enjoyed woodworking, bowling on the Masonic team, and taking meticulous care of his yard. He also enjoyed horseback riding and biking. He had a great sense of humor and often laughed through the punch line of many of his jokes. Above all, he was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

Mel is survived by his wife, Ann of Waterloo; four children, Ruth Ann (Rod) Hughes of Miller’s Ferry, AL, Jon Mark (Ok Cha) Sickels of Lawrenceville, GA, Randy Sickels of Cedar Falls, and Kariann (Dave) Kupka of Evansdale; three step-children, Timothy Buehrer of Waterloo, Kenneth Buehrer of Nashua, and Kristin Lord of West Des Moines; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a step-daughter, Kimberly Buehrer; three brothers, Grant, Sewell, and John Sickels; and a sister, Effie Mae Eifert.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 23, 2026, at Cedar Valley Church, 3520 Ansborough Ave., with burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery, both in Waterloo. Military rites will be conducted by Waterloo American Legion Post #138 and the Iowa Army National Guard Funeral Honor Guard. Visitation for one hour prior to services at the church. Memorials may be directed to the church. Condolences may be left at www.LockeFuneralServices.com. Locke at Tower Park, 4140 Kimball Ave., is assisting the family. Locke at Tower Park, 319-233-3146.