Sylvan Meling

Sylvan Wayne Meling, 94, passed away Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Good Shepherd Health Center in Mason City, Iowa. A graveside service will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Forest City, Iowa on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 12 p.m.

Sylvan was born on November 19, 1930 in Forest City to Sven and Lena (Benson) Meling, a family which also included four other children. His father had emigrated from Norway, trading fishing for farming, and the family grew up on that farm, raising crops and livestock alike.

After completing high school in Forest City, Sylvan entered the United States Army, and served as a tank commander in the Korean War. After returning from active duty, Sylvan was blessed with four children—Debra, Vickie, Doug, and Scott. Later, he met his future wife, Viola, at church in Forest City, and the two quickly hit it off.

Sylvan worked hard his entire life. After farming early in life, he joined the Winnebago team in Forest City and worked in customer service for over 20 years before retiring. Even after retiring, Sylvan stayed busy, managing and rejuvenating old apartment buildings in Forest City. He even drove a school bus for the Forest City School District until he was 87 years old.

In his spare time, Sylvan worked with his hands as a carpenter, tinkering and remodeling his house as he saw fit. He was a mellow, friendly, and soft-spoken individual with a special talent for telling stories, which his family and his peers at Country Meadows loved greatly.

He is survived by his daughters, Debra Cohrs and Vickie Meling; his sons, Doug and Scott Meling; grandchildren, Teresa Bergen, Travis Campbell, Tiffany Campbell, and Tyrelle (Danielle) Campbell; and many great and great-great-grandchildren.

Sylvan was preceded in death by his parents, wife Viola, his siblings, and his infant great-grandson Jayden Campbell.