Margaret E. Melcher

Margaret E. Melcher, age 98 of Highland, IL, died Thursday, May 31, 2018, at Hitz Memorial Home in Alhambra, IL. She was born April 12, 1920, in Parkersburg, WV, the daughter of Earl and Evalena (nee Harris) Martin. On April 10, 1970 she married Howard R. Melcher. He passed away on May 29, 2008. She was a member of Highland Hope United Methodist Church. She was also a member of O.W.L.S. at Hope UM Church - Former member of Moose in Parkersburg, WV - Buckeye Trail Association. Margaret was born in Parkersburg, WV and grew up there. After she completed her education, she worked in a local 5 and Dime Store. She later became a Nurse’s Aide and then a Licensed Practical Nurse in the 1960's. She worked at St. Joseph Hospital in Parkersburg and Camden-Clark Hospital. She and her husband enjoyed ballroom dancing, big band music, Indian lore (owned their own teepee) and showed their love of Indian culture with camps and youth organizations including tribes in North Dakota, West Virginia, Ohio and all of the United States. She and her husband were adopted into the Devils Lake Chippewa Tribe on an Indian reservation in North Dakota in 1977. They traveled to Indian Pow Wows and enjoyed traveling and camping in the U.S. They had a cabin in the wilderness in Canada. She did weaving, bread baking and embroidery. She moved to Highland in 2008. Survivors include : Daughter - Rebecca J. "Becky" (Craig) Wheeler, Highland, IL Grandchild - Steven C. (Sharon L.) Wheeler, Lebanon, IL Great Grandchild - Andrea M. (Wesley) Freezeland, Worden, IL Great Grandchild - Eric C. Wheeler, Portland, OR Great Grandchild - Alesya M. Wheeler, Trenton, IL Great Great Grandchild - Emilia G. Freezeland, Worden, IL Great Great Grandchild - Lilith I. Freezeland, Worden, IL Step Child - Patricia (Bret) Bissell, New Haven, CT Step Child - Henry (Taun) Melcher, West Hills , CA Step Grandchildren - Many Survive Step Great Grandchildren - Many Survive She was preceded in death by : Father - Earl Martin - Died 7/25/1971 Mother - Evalena Martin, nee Harris - Died 7/03/1971 Husband - Howard R. Melcher - Died 5/29/2008 Brother - Leland E. Martin - Died 11/10/1978 Infant Granddaughter - Cara Jennifer Wheeler - Died April 1974 Step Grandchild - Preceded by Step Grandchild Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Highland Hope United Methodist Church in Highland, IL . Memorial Services will be at 4:00 PM on Sunday, June 10, 2018, at Highland Hope United Methodist Church in Highland, IL, with Rev. Beverly Wilks Null officiating. Interment will be at Evergreen Cemetery South in South Parkersburg, WV at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Animal Shelter ; St. Louis Zoo ; or a Charity of the Donor's Choice.

Margaret E. Melcher

April 12, 1920 - May 31, 2018