Melvin John Tschetter, 94, of Ames, passed away on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames.

Funeral services for Melvin Tschetter will be held at 1:30 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at Crossroads Baptist Church, 3721 Turing Street, in Ames, with visitation beginning at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow at Ames Municipal Cemetery.

Melvin was born on January 27, 1932, on the family farm in rural Bridgewater, South Dakota, to John and Louise (Forsch) Tschetter. He was raised in Bridgewater, graduating Valedictorian of Bridgewater High School with the Class of 1950. Following high school, Melvin attended Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD where he earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry. After graduation, Melvin was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, ArleyJean Decker, on June 11, 1954. The couple immediately relocated and made their home in Ames, Iowa, where they raised their four daughters, Cindy, Sharee, Laurie, and Julie, and enjoyed 72 years of marriage.

Melvin worked at the Ames Lab for the Atomic Energy Commission at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa for 38 years as an analytical chemist, a career that had him working on a number of projects for the federal government and NASA. Additionally, in the late 1950s, he and ArleyJean began their rental property business, which they ran independently until just last year. Melvin was a loyal Iowa State fan, a proud season ticket holder for 72 years. He loved riding motorcycles with his girls, and was an avid bicyclist. For 38 years, he rode his bike to and from work every day regardless of the weather.

Melvin and ArleyJean loved to travel, having visited all 50 states and a variety of sites in Europe and Australia, naming treks to the Holy Land, Scandinavia and New Zealand among their most memorable. Trips taken when the girls were young often included a station wagon and camping at national parks in their custom-made pop-up camper designed and built by Melvin, of course.

The most important part of Melvin's life was his family, whom he loved dearly. To his four daughters, nine grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren, Melvin was the ultimate family man. He showed his love in countless ways, but notably by capturing every family moment on camera, and by holding his wife's hand whenever given the chance - a simple gesture that reflected their remarkable partnership. Melvin's family will remember him for his intelligence, big heart, youthful spirit, and unmatched work ethic.

Melvin's full life was all made possible by his faith. A 72-year member of Crossroads Baptist Church, he served as a trustee, an usher, and was previously a Sunday School teacher. Melvin and ArleyJean loved attending gospel music concerts and visiting Branson, MO at least once a year.

Melvin is survived by his wife of nearly 72 years, ArleyJean; his daughters, Cindy Gould (Benjamen) Appleton, WI; Sharee Decker, Chandler, AZ; Laurie Craig, Mesa, AZ; Julie Anderson (Marc), Prior Lake, MN; nine grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; along with numerous friends and colleagues.

Melvin was preceded in death his parents, and his brother Richard Tschetter, and two infant great-grandchildren.