At the age of 45, Arlan Lee Melcher was killed in a car accident. He was a resident of Apple Valley, California at the time of his death. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in McGregor, Iowa. He grew up on the family farm in Paint Creek Township, north of Rossville, Iowa and attended the Waterville Consolidated School, graduating in 1966 from the Waukon High School, Waukon, Iowa. In 1966 he married Beverly Jean Lawson. They would later divorce in 1975 in California. In 1966, Arlan enlisted into the United States Air Force and would serve from 1966-1970. One year of his service was spent in Vietnam. After his discharge he and his family settled in California where he remained until his death in 1993.
Arlan owned Melcher Construction in Apple Valley, where he did concrete construction of all kinds. He also served as a volunteer fireman. He liked hunting, collecting guns, fishing, and the outdoors. He lived on a small farm raising small animals, planting trees, and gardening. He was survived by his 3 daughters; Christina (Thomas) Cooper, Brandi Melcher, and Alysia Melcher; his mother Madonna (Wilkins) Melcher; one brother Darwin Melcher; his father, Vernon and step-mother Bunny Melcher; and his grandfather Edward Lee Wilkins; his granddaughter Raven; nephew Shane Melcher and niece Shanna Melcher, in addition to four step-sisters: Iris, LaVonne, Kay, and Diane.
Memorial services were held on Friday, December 31,1993 in the McGregor, Iowa United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery near Rossville, Iowa. Military graveside rites were conducted by the Waukon Veterans. Casket bearers were Ralph Campbell, Greg Gilbertson, Gary Gilbertson, Gary Kubitz, Sigurd Ness,and Shane Melcher.