Melba Louise Kurmis

MELBA LOUISE KURMIS Valparaiso, Indiana In Loving Memory of Melba Louise Gaither Kurmis, who died on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at home surrounded by family after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Those who knew Melba, better known as Baba, loved her. Baba was one of the most giving people any of us knew. You never went to visit that she didn' send you home with a handmade pot holder, a jar of her delicious homemade jam or jelly, or some treasure that she thought you might enjoy. Her absence will be deeply felt, but her life's work of taking care of others has left an indelible mark on all who knew her. She was born on July 10, 1925 in Malden, MO. She lived most of her life in Northwest Indiana (Gary and Valparaiso). Melba was a member of the First Christian Church, C/B Club and Needle Nuts. Melba was preceded in death by her two husbands, J.B. Tanner, who lost his life on March 3, 1945 while serving his country in Germany and Frank Kurmis; parents, Arvel and Norah Gaither; one brother, Dale Gaither and one sister, Adabel Thompson. Surviving are her daughter, Lucretia "Chrish" (Larry) Sendelbach of Henry, IL; son, Ronald P. (Carol) Kurmis of Valparaiso; five grandchildren, Anita (John) Lou of Henry, IL, Evelyn (Gary) Korfias of Huntingtonn, MA, Frank (Susan) Korfias of Henry, IL, Karen (Joe) Korfias of Dekalb, IL, and Rupert N. Kurmis of Valparaiso; five great grandchildren, Sophie Lou, Tanner Lou, Madolyn Lou, Frank Korfias Jr. and Manuel Korfias all of Illinois; one brother, Marvin Gaither of Cohoski, IL and four sisters, Faye Price of Hobart, IN, Edna Mustain of Springfield, MO, Jeanne Chilelli of Phoenix, AZ and Tille Duncan of St. Louis, MO. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 12, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. at Bartholomew Funeral Home, 102 Monroe Street, Valparaiso with Reverend Victoria Ubben from the First Christian Church officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 11, 2007 from 4-8 p.m. at Bartholomew Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the VNA Hospice of Porter County, 501 Marquette Street, Valparaiso, IN 46383. For more information, please call 219-462-4102 or visit our website at www. bartholomewnewhard.com to sign a guestbook for Melba.