Janet M Melcher

1936 - 2013

Janet M. Melcher, age 76, of Mount Gilead, went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday morning, January 18, 2013, at the Mill Creek Care Center in Galion after being incapacitated by a major stroke.
On May 20, 1936, Janet was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, one of five children of the late Paul B. and Alyce C. (Fike) Morton. She was raised in Leesville, where she graduated from Leesville High School in 1954.
Shortly following her high school graduation, Janet attended registered nurses training at the Mansfield General Hospital. Following her training, she served in the hospital assisting with surgeries, her specialty and favorite part of her profession. Later in her career, she spent time at the Morrow County Hospital and Galion Memorial Hospital, passing on her knowledge to the next generation of nurses, until her retirement in 1990. She was a member of the Mansfield General Nurses Alumni Association.
A friend through her nurses training, Mary (Melcher) Bosh, set Janet up with her brother, an Army Veteran, Vincent Melcher. The rest would be history with Janet and Vincent marrying on September 13, 1958, at the Galion United Methodist Church, eventually moving to their Morrow County farm in 1970. Janet was involved in nearly every aspect of farm life, helping raise and harvest all of their meat and vegetables, sustaining their family off their land. She also used the harvest to make "the best baked goods" to spoil her family. Janet and Vincent lovingly raised five children, and enjoyed worshipping together during their 54 years of marriage.
A devout Christian, Janet was an active member of the Mt. Gilead, Waterford, and Pleasant Grove Churches of Christ, where she served in a number of roles over 40 years including as teacher of Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher. Janet made time every day to study the Bible, memorize scripture, and pray. Her family has peace in their heart, knowing this is not goodbye, rather, we'll see you later.
A firm believer in the power of education, Janet loved playing any game that involved words…crossword puzzles and Scrabble being two of her favorites, and she had an astounding vocabulary. However, she enjoyed playing any game,especially with her grandchildren, who brought great joy to her life.
Having a smile that would brighten even your worst of days, Janet was one of the most "kind, generous, gracious and hospitable" people you could ever meet. Everyone was welcome in her house, especially missionaries spreading the word of God. It could also be said, no one would leave her table hungry.
She dearly loved and will be missed by her husband, Vincent Melcher of Mount Gilead; five children: Kevin (Brenda) Melcher of North Ridgeville; Dean (Susan) Melcher of Kokomo, Indiana; Bradley (Belinda) Melcher of Mount Gilead; Pat (Ken) Davies of Chesterville; and Curtis Melcher of Kokomo, Indiana; thirteen grandchildren: Lauren (Jeremy) Bosshammer, Cara and Zachery Melcher, Erica Melcher, Sarah (Caleb) Ely, Andrea (Chad) Andrews, Carri and Paul Melcher, Kyle (Ruth) Davies, Katherine and Kayla Davies, and Jacob and Andrew Melcher; four great-grandchildren: Adam Bosshammer, Ethan and Aidan Belt, and Allison Ely; two brothers and two sisters: Thomas Morton of Galion, Grace Snyder of Tiffin, Pamela (Jay) Bricker of Bluffton, and Richard (Catherine) Morton of Lakewood; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The Melcher family will greet friends from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013, at the Pleasant Grove Church of Christ, 7197 Co. Rd. 46, Mount Gilead. Services celebrating her homecoming will follow there at 2:00 p.m., with Pastors Don and Ray Linn officiating. Burial will follow in Shauck Cemetery in Johnsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Grove Church of Christ (address above) and Round Lake Christian Camp, 114 St. Rt. 3, Lakeville, OH 44638.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Janet's family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.