Melvin “Dewey” Castelein III, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 29, 2024 in Belmond, Iowa.
Dewey was born October 9, 1941 in Battle Creek, MI. At just 5 years old, Dewey received the first double eye surgery at Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle Creek.
Dewey is survived by his wife, Judy (Mathews) Castelein, his four children: Dewey R. Castelein of Battle Creek, MI; Michelle Castelein Zdunic of Walton, KY; Dee Castelein Kizer of Battle Creek, MI; and Natasha “Talli” Castelein Huff (Troy) of Battle Creek, MI; his sister Beverly Ann Ray; special sister-in-law Janet Jeffers of Belmond, IA, Eight grandchildren, a bunch of great-grandchildren; special nieces and nephews, and countless family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Melvin Dewey Castelein II, Velma Mary Bordner, and his sister Carolyn Mary Castelein.
Dewey was a man of many talents and unending optimism. He was always quick with a smile and even quicker with a joke. He loved to make people laugh, never met a stranger and never thought twice of helping someone in need.
Over the course of his life, Dewey’s career consisted of welding, full-service gas station attendant, mechanic, pit-crew mechanic for racecars and dragsters, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Volunteer Firefighter in Marshall, MI, and over the road truck driver for 35 years. After retiring from driving, he went to work at TruValue Hardware in Belmond, Iowa for several more years.
His hobbies included motorcycle riding, cars (he was a member of the Mustang Club in Battle Creek in the mid-late 1960’s), wheeling and dealing, spending time with his family and friends, going to casinos, and tinkering. He was a real-life MacGyver – he could fix anything with whatever he had on hand and if it wasn’t broken, well…he just took it apart to see how it worked so he could fix it.
Dewey is sorely missed, but his impact on our lives will last forever!
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation in Dewey’s name to any SPCA of your choice; He loved animals.
There will be a celebration of life event held on July 13, 2024 at Southfork Park in Florence, KY 41042 . Sympathy cards and memorials may also be directed in care of the Melvin “Dewey” Castelein Family P.O, Box 224, Belmond, IA 50421Andrews Funeral Homes is handling local arrangement.
