Irene H. Melvin

CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Irene H. Melvin, age 97, of Centerville, died Tuesday, February 24, 2015, at her home surrounded by her family. Born August 21, 1917, on the farm on George Early Road in Centerville, to Albert and Nellie McMath Higgins, Irene was a life-long resident of Centerville and was a 1935 graduate of Centerville High School. She had worked for the telephone company, was co-owner with Erpha Hamilton of the Green Grill Restaurant in Centerville, and later retired as branch manager at First Federal Savings and Loan in Centerville, which is now First Bank Richmond. Irene was a life-long and active member of Centerville United Methodist Church and a charter member of Beta Eta Chapter of Psi Iota Xi Sorority in Centerville. She volunteered at Reid Hospital, served on the committee for the Centerville Sesquicentennial, and was a member of Historic Centerville, Centerville Senior Center and Promote Centerville. Irene loved spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren. Irene was a 37 year breast cancer survivor and was recognized as the oldest living breast cancer survivor in 2014 by Susan G. Komen For The Cure. Survivors include her children, Susanne (Terry) Stover of Centerville and Michael “Mick” (Carol) Melvin of Fishers, Indiana; grandchildren, Melissa (Paulene) Hardy-Stover of Bloomington, Indiana, Amy (Dan) Arens of Fishers, Indiana, Heather (Jason) Troutwine of Centerville, Michelle (John) Gano of Noblesville, Indiana, and Kimberly Melvin of Colorado; great-grandchildren, Carter and Chloe Arens, Jackson and Emma Troutwine, Maxwell Hubbard, and Michael and Andrew Gano; niece, Judy (Herb) Sharp of Florida; caregivers, Beth Brunner of Boston, Indiana, and Kelly Smith of Richmond; and many friends, including Myrna Lopez of Centerville and Dee (Ted) Willard of Richmond. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil L. Melvin who died on September 25, 1998; parents; sister, Retha Jenkins; nephew, Bud Jenkins; and special friends, Eloise McDonald and Dottie Sittloh. Visitation for Irene H. Melvin will be from 5 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2015, at Mills Funeral Home, 405 East Main Street, Centerville. Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2015, at Centerville United Methodist Church, 112 South Morton Avenue, Centerville, with Rev. Jason Morris officiating. Burial will be in Crown Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Centerville United Methodist Church, 112 South Morton Avenue, Centerville, IN 47330. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Irene H. Melvin

August 21, 1917 - February 24, 2015