Ethelyne Melvin

SAVANNAH:  Ethelyne Melvin, 97, of Savannah, Iowa died January 31, 2009 at the Davis County Hospital in Bloomfield, Iowa.  She was born August 31, 1911 in Davis County, Iowa to Bert and Edythe Brunk Boatman.  She married James W. Melvin August 6, 1930 in Nashua, Iowa.  He preceded her in death May 8, 1990.  She was a member of the Bloomfield Christian Church becoming the first woman to be an Elder.  She was a 4-H leader, avid quilter and enjoyed reading.  She taught in rural Davis County Schools and was a homemaker.

She is survived by 2 sons, Phillip (Linda) Melvin of Bloomfield, Iowa, Stewart (Carol) Melvin of Ames, Iowa; a daughter, Marilyn (Jim) Gould of Sandia, Texas; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Jack Boatman of Bloomfield, Iowa and Max Boatman of Fishers, Indiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; 2 brothers, William “Bill” and Robert Boatman; and 2 sisters, Florence Nelson and Delilah Melvin.

Funeral services will be at 10:30am on Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at the Bloomfield Christian Church with Rev. James Wakelin officiating.  Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield.  Visitation will begin after 9am on Monday with the family present to greet friends from 6-8pm at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield.  Memorials have been established to the Davis County Dollars for Scholars and the Bloomfield Christian Church.