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Melva Karlis Obituary
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Age 95 of Huntington Woods, Michigan died peacefully on June 22, 2024. Born
October 30, 1928 in Doland, South Dakota to Gustav and Grace Hanson. She
graduated from Doland High School in 1946 and later from Oakland Community
College. She was an active member of Epiphany Lutheran Church, Detroit and
served in many capacities until it closed. She has been a devoted member of
Huntington Woods Lutheran Church since.
Melva married George Karlis of Hazel Park, Michigan in October, 1949 and together
they had three children and five grandchildren-Mary Ann (Dewey) Ducharme, Julie
Kay (Cory) Werling, and Jason George (Karen) Karlis. Dear grandmother of Jacob
Ducharme, Katya (Zach Webster) Ducharme, Alexandra Karlis, Nicholas (Rosie)
Karlis, and Emma Rose Werling. They enjoyed 71 years of marriage before
George's passing in April, 2020. She is also survived by daughter Deborah Sue
(Michael) Hudspeth, grandsons Graham and Ian Hudspeth, and great-grandson
Lucas Hudspeth.
Besides George, she is now united with her parents and sister, Adella (Chuck)
James and brothers Donald (Vivian) Hanson and Gerald (Peggy) Hanson.
Melva began singing when she was five at a high school program. She loved music
through the church choirs, the Madison Heights Chorale, and listening to her favorite
symphonies. She also enjoyed sewing, embroidery and gardening. She loved to
read and kept track of what she read and would suggest favorite books to others.
She was in Book Clubs for many years and transitioned to Zoom Book Clubs during
the pandemic. She also enjoyed playing Trivia with family and friends via Zoom.
Melva will be forever loved, remembered, and missed. Her funeral is Wednesday,
June 26 at 11am with visitation before and lunch following. She will be buried with
George at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. In lieu of flowers,
memorial contributions may be made to the Huntington Woods Lutheran Church.
Please visit the family's online guest book at the Sawyer-Fuller Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melva, please visit our floral store.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Janet Hanson Pardiac
June 26, 2024
Heaven has gained an angel and I know that she will be looking over us all . My thoughts and prayers are with you always . As you said to me once " May our Dear Lord hold you in the palm of His hands " . Until we meet again .. Love always , Janet
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