Submitted by: Dan Rich

Harry B. Melander

Oct. 30, 1922 - May 10, 2006

South Bend Tribune 5/12/2006

Harry B. Melander, 83, of South Bend, died following a brief illness at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, May 10, 2006, in The Milton Home.

Mr. Melander was born Oct. 30, 1922, in South Bend, to the late Ernest T. and Hilma C. (Peterson) Melander, and was a lifetime area resident. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Evelyn Swanson and Lillian Tohulka; and by a brother, Donald T. Melander.

On June 26, 1954, in South Bend, he married Dorothy A. Swanson, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Martha A. Melander of South Bend and Carol C. (Raymond) Erickson of Chicago, Ill.; a son, David H. (Louise) Melander of Mishawaka, Ind.; five grandchildren, Anna, Axel and Elin Erickson, and Jared and Jordan Melander; and two sisters, Marian Larson of Munster, Ind., and Harriet (Ross) Billger of South Bend.

Harry was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the European Theatre at the time of the Battle of the Bulge. Following his military duties he was employed by the Charles D. Hoyt Company of Mishawaka, IN, a screw machine business. Later he was co-founder and CEO of Merrifield Metal Products of South Bend until his retirement in 1993. A devout Christian, he was a lifelong member and served in many positions for the Evangelical Covenant Church of South Bend. One of his primary passions was for missions, home and abroad, serving on short-term mission trips as well as local Habitat for Humanity work, and was a longtime board member of Ray Bird Ministries. He was an avid sports fan and thoroughly enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's numerous sporting events. He deeply loved his family and will be missed dearly by his family and friends.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 13, in the chapel of St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind. Memorial services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday in Evangelical Covenant Church, 3025 E. Edison Road, with Rev. Kevin Brintnall officiating.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today, May 12, in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Road.

Memorial contributions may be made to Evangelical Covenant Church, 3025 E. Edison Road, South Bend, IN 46615; or to Camp Ray Bird, 25765 Edison Road, South Bend, IN 46628.

Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at welshfh@yahoo.com. (nf)