Melba Catherine Stephenson
Nov. 3, 1923 – Jan. 7, 2022
Melba Catherine Stephenson, 98, of Sheridan, passed away at Copper Trace of Westfield on Friday morning, Jan. 7, 2022.
Born Nov. 3, 1923, in Muncie, Ind., she was the daughter of the late Cloa Allen “Cy” and Mary Reba (Rees) Young.
After graduating from Sheridan High School with the Class of 1942, Mrs. Stephenson entered the workforce. She worked in retail for several years with various companies including Elliott Pharmacy, L.S. Ayers and Ben Franklin. She also worked in the communications field as both a switchboard operator and office worker with the phone company. She and her husband, Bud were married on April 11, 1942. Mrs. Stephenson loved helping her husband take care of things on the farm. She instantly fell in love with the heavy machinery, learning everything she could about operating the combine and tractor, and once she was in the driver’s seat, it was hard to get her out. She also liked the small equipment and found just about any reason she could to get out and do some mowing and cutting.
Mrs. Stephenson loved to travel. Heading to Colorado to visit family was always a welcomed trip, as was her trips to visit her son while he lived in Virginia. She enjoyed passing the time doing word searches and crossword puzzles and never turned down an invitation to play cards. However, when the Pacers or Colts were playing, they had her undivided attention. Everything else could wait until the game was over (or at least until halftime).
Mrs. Stephenson had a great appreciation for music. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ and enjoyed both listening to and playing gospel music. Her strong faith led her throughout her life. She was an active member of the Sheridan First United Methodist Church, where she belonged to the Ladies’ Aid Circle. Melba loved to cook and was always at the ready to help whenever there was a dinner at the church. Her famous chicken & noodles were always a favorite.
Family was always first and foremost in Mrs. Stephenson’s life. She loved spending time with her grandson and her nieces and nephews.
Survivors include her son, Robert Dale Stephenson of Sheridan; grandson, Micah Carr of Pendleton; sister-in-law, Loretta M. Young of Sheridan; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Marsha Kay Carr; daughter-in-law, Barbara Jean Stephenson; brother, Gayle Young; sisters-and-brothers-in-law, Mary E. Young, Marilyn Bailey Young, Lena Holliday and husband, Morton, Thelma Eytcheson and husband, Red, Jean King and husband, Bill and Marge Todd and husband, Jim; her feline BFF, Star; and her loving husband, Lawrence “Bud” Stephenson on Feb. 7, 2001.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th Street, Sheridan, Indiana, with Visitation from 11 a.m. until the time of Service. Burial will follow at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Pastor John Meunier will be officiating.
Memorial contributions may be presented to the Sheridan First United Methodist Church.