Melcher, Effie A. (Leas) 1886-1961

MELCHER, THIAS, LEAS, COWELL, WALSH, HILLISHEIM, MCCRANEY, MIEHE, ROGGE

Posted By: Carrie Reps (email)
Date: 1/10/2012 at 13:43:51

Funeral services for Mrs. John Melcher, 74, were held Monday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock in the Monona Methodist church with Rev. E.W. Hilmer officiating.

The body lay in state at the church from 12 o'clock noon until the time of the services. Burial was in the Monona City cemetery.

Mrs. Melcher died Friday morning, May 12, at 4 o'clock at the Postville hospital, where she had been a patient for two weeks, from a lingering illness.

As Effie Ann, she was born the daughter of George A. and Sarah, nee Thias, Leas, July 27, 1886, in Linton township, Allamakee county. She received her education in the Linton township schools and her early religious training in the Rossville church.
She was married to John Melcher, Dec. 21, 1904, in Waukon by Rev. R.L. Van Nice. They purchased a farm in the Big Foot community in Linton township from John Campbell. They lived there for 40 years, where their family of 12 children grew up.

They sold their farm to Emmett Palmer in 1944 and in December of that year moved to Monona.
They enjoyed the privilege if celebrating their golden wedding anniversary, Dec. 21, 1954.
Mrs. Melcher was active in the Methodist church, Woman's Relief corps,and Prosperity Rebekah Lodge No. 26.

Preceding her in death were her husband, who died Dec. 7, 1959, and four brothers, Wesley, Elmie, Ray, and Arthur Leas.

Surviving are four daughters, Mrs. David (Wilma) Cowell of Monona, Mrs. John (Amelia) Walsh of Ridgeway, Mrs. Robert (Arlene) Hillisheim of Lakeland, Fla., and Mrs. Milton (Joan) McCraney of Evansdale; eight sons, Lester of Chicago, Ill., John Jr. of Harpers Ferry, Arden of LaPorte City, Vernon of Waukon, Nowel of Anacortes, Wash., and Glen, Carl, and Ivan of Monona; two sisters, Mrs. Arnold (Iva) Miehe and Mrs. Mike (Marie) Rogge of Oelwein; one brother Harry Leas of Waukon; 38 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Members of the Monona Woman's Relief corps and of Prosperity Rebekah Lodge No. 26 served as an honorary escort.
Music at the services was provided by Mrs. Ben Freese and Mrs. George Martin. Mrs. Ivon J. Schultz was the organist.
Pallbearers were her eight sons; Noel, Arden, Vernon, Lester, Glenn, Carl, Ivan, and John Jr. Melcher.

The Monona Leader
May 18, 1961