West Liberty, Iowa Henry Filmore Melick, age 99, died on July 1, 2020 in Grand Living at Bridgewater in Coralville, Iowa. Filmore was born on October 6, 1920 in West Liberty, Iowa, the son of Henry and Helen (Stahl) Melick. He graduated from West Liberty High School in 1939 and attended Iowa State College in Ames. While there, he was drafted into the US Army in 1942 and served in Europe in World War II being honorably discharged in 1945. On May 7, 1950 he was united in marriage to Marjory Stagg. He lived most of his life in West Liberty and was employed at the West Liberty Telephone Company. He served as manager from 1954 until he retired in 1988. Filmore was always known for his strong work ethic. He was President of the Iowa Telephone Association for two years and also a member of the Independent Telephone Pioneers Association. He was instrumental in converting one of the first independent phone companies in Iowa from switch board to dial. He was a member and a Deacon of Christian Church that later merged into First Church United. Filmore was a member of the Mount Calvary Masonic Lodge, 32nd Degree and a Kaaba Shriner for over 50 years, and member of the American Legion Post 509 in West Liberty. For ten years he was a member of the West Liberty Volunteer Fire Department. His hometown of West Liberty was always very important to him, so he made many contributions to local organizations and was most proud of the creation of Liberty Park, the industrial park in West Liberty. He helped also contribute to the building of the West Liberty Fire Department, the West Liberty Community Center, and Simpson Memorial Home. He kept very busy with his favorite hobby of woodworking in his shop, turning out many nice pieces of furniture, including grandfather clocks for each of his children. He made many wooden toys for his grandchildren. Filmore also enjoyed traveling with his wife Marj to many interesting places in the United States and overseas. In 1988 they purchased a home in Florida where they wintered for almost 25 years. He was an Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed having season tickets for the games. He was excited to watch his beloved Cubs win the world series in 2016. He was a lifelong Chicago Bears fan. Survivors include his wife Marj, daughter Jeanne Melick-Shield of Iowa City, sons Brad (Barb) Melick of West Branch, Bruce Melick of Cedar Rapids and Jerry Melick of West Liberty. Twelve grandchildren, Travis, Jesse, Caleb, Cassie, Clint, Shandra, Shelby, Dayne, Kayla, Emma, Holly and Connor, also ten great grandchildren and two nieces. Preceding him death were his parents, daughter in law Laura Melick and his three sisters, Margaret Martin, Marion Motis and Carrie Williams. As per his wishes, his body has been cremated and a private family memorial service will be held. Inurnment will be in the Oak Ridge Cemetery, West Liberty. The Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty is caring for the Melick family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hendersonbarkerfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be made to the West Liberty Community Center, the West Liberty Fire Department or the City of West Liberty for the upkeep of the Kimberly Swimming Pool.