Deloris Melvin

Deloris A. Melvin, 95, a resident of Gaston and widow of Gerald O. Melvin, died at 4:11 p. m. Thursday, February 7, 2008, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. She had been a patient there since Sunday. Mrs. Melvin was born on June 11, 1912 in Muncie, a daughter of James L. and Elta May (Garner) Clendenin. She spent her formative years in Muncie and graduated from Central High School in 1931. As a young woman she attended nursing school in Brooklyn, New York. She later earned her LPN at Ball Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, and worked in obstetrics for a period. On September 18, 1932 she was married to Gerald O. Melvin, and had lived at her present home in Gaston since 1941. She had also been employed in the offices of the former Ashland Oil Company in Muncie for several years. She was a member of the Gaston United Methodist Church, the church's United Methodist Women's Hope Circle, and Purity Order of the Eastern Star 126 in Hartford City. Mr. Melvin preceded her in death on February 11, 1994. Surviving are her daughter Judy (Larry) Thornburg of Muncie; nine grandchildren Andrea (Michael) O'Quin of Mt. Gilead, Oh., Lisa (Claude) Stump of Arrowsmith, Il., Mike DeHaven of Lynn, Linda (Rigo) Schmelzer of Bloomington, Il., Diane (Alan) Slick of Lynn, Sherry Beshears of Winchester, Mark (Liz) DeHaven of Lynn, Leora (Bryon) Foley of Fishers, and Amelia Thornburg of Smyrna, Ga; 18 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter Linda DeHaven in 1979. Also deceased is her brother George Clendenin; and two sisters Diane Simmons and Elizabeth Northcutt. Funeral services will be held at 1 p. m. Monday, February 11, at the Gaston United Methodist Church, with the Rev. John Long, officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday from 2 to 6 p. m., or one hour prior to the service. Purity Order of the Eastern Star 126 will conduct memorial services at 6 p. m. Sunday at the church. Interment will be in the family plot at the Jones Cemetery, north of Yorktown. Sheets & Childs Funeral Home in Churubusco is in charge of the arrangements. For those who wish, memorials may be directed to Gaston United Methodist Church or to the American Cancer Society. ************************************ To leave a condolence for the family in Mrs. Melvin's memory, please click on "Condolences" below. . .