Rex N. Mendenhall

Rex N. Mendenhall, 84, of Newton, died Tuesday, June 5, 2018, at the Newton Village Care Center. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, June 18 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Memorials to First United Methodist Church, High Point Methodist Church, Iowa River Hospice or the donor’s choice can be left at the funeral home.

Rex was born Sept. 8, 1933, on the family farm at High Point, the son of Nile Stephen and Helena (Cartwright) Mendenhall. He graduated from Garden Grove High School in 1951, and from Iowa State College in 1956. Following graduation, he accepted a position in the industrial engineering department of The Maytag Company, where he remained for 37 years. He was drafted by the U.S. Army and served two years active and two years reserve.

On Oct. 2, 1960, he was united in marriage with Lila Gittinger. They made their home on an acreage in the Kellogg area for many years. Rex was always a farmer at heart and enjoyed nurturing and growing things. He had a love for fishing, wood carving and bird watching.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers, Richard, Rollie and Ramon; and a sister, Rita Jane. He is survived by his wife, Lila; sons, Todd (Kristen) and Dan (Pam); and four granddaughters, Alyssa, Katie, Kelsy and Jessica.

Rex was a kind and gentle man with an extraordinary sense of humor. He was always grateful that he lived in a free country. He appreciated the USA with its many freedoms.

The family wishes to thank the Newton Village Care Center staff for loving and caring for Rex.