Obit: Melvin, Ruth M. #2 (1915 - 2010)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt

Email: bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Carlson, Gentrup, Laher, Melvin, Ockerlander, Reed, Rood, Ryan, Schuh, See, Waterman, Weideman

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wisconsin) Wednesday, December 1, 2010, page 15

Melvin, Ruth M. (Ockerlander)(July 8, 1915 - November 28, 2010)

Ruth M. Melvin, age 95, of Abbotsford, passed away Sunday, November 28, 2010 at her home in Abbotsford. 

Her funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 3, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church in Abbotsford. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will take place at Abbotsford Public Cemetery following the service.

Ruth was born July 8, 1915, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to John and Edith (Waterman) Ockerlander. She graduated from Dorchester High School in 1933.

Ruth was joined in marriage to Francis J. Melvin on May 27, 1936, in Dorchester, Wisconsin, and they settled in Abbotsford. They owned and operated Melvin Companies, which was founded in 1932. Ruth worked in the family business doing the bookkeeping and payroll for many years, retiring in 1974. She also spent many winters in northern Wisconsin and upper Michigan cooking for the Melvin "crew" while the Company hauled logs in the winter to supplement it’s summer income. Through her many years of hard work, long hours, and support, she helped their company grow from one location to the multi-faceted, multi-location organization it is today, providing central Wisconsin quality concrete products, construction materials & services. She was especially proud when her grandson, Eric Melvin, joined the Melvin Companies in 2007, making it a third generation business.

A woman of deep faith, Ruth was a member and an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Abbotsford, and was active in many of the women’s groups, especially the Joy Circle. She loved to travel and was particularly fond of her "snow bird" winters in Arizona. A highlight of her travels took her to South Africa where she toured the country and visited the foreign exchange student who had stayed with the Melvin family while attending Abbotsford High School in 1963. She also loved reading of any kind, cooking, and tending to her garden. She loved flowers of all varieties and, with her green thumb, was able to keep them thriving for years. Most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family (especially her grandchildren) and friends.

Ruth will be sadly missed by so many, but will always be remembered for her generous and kind heart, her quick wit and lively sense of humor.

She is lovingly survived by her children, R. Neal (Beverly) Melvin of Bonita Springs, Fl, Bonnie (Alfred) Weideman of Unity, and James (Bonnie) Melvin of Abbotsford; 11 grandchildren, Tammy (Pat) Ryan, Jeffrey (Michelle) Melvin, Kevin (Sue) Melvin, Bradley (Jenny) Melvin, Julie (Rick) Laher, Laurie (John) Gentrup, Kara (Mike) Carlson, Andrew (Heather) Melvin, Eric (fiancé Amy Schuh) Melvin, Krista Melvin and Anne (fiancé Kipp Rood) Melvin; as well as 18 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren. Ruth is further survived by her sisters, Carol (late James) Reed of Port St. Lucie, Fl, and Doris (Robert) See of Wausau; sister-in-law, Elaine Melvin of Abbotsford; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Francis in 1974; her brother Jack; and her grandson, John Matthew Melvin.

A memorial will be established in her name at Camp Forest Springs in Westboro, Wisconsin.
The Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford is assisting the family with funeral arrangements. Friends may send online condolences to www.maurinaschillingfuneralhome.com