Melba E. Houseworth Obituary (1917 - 2010)

Melba E. Houseworth, age 93 of Three Rivers, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010 at Heartland Healthcare Center where she had resided the past 3 years. She was born in Elkhart, IN on March 5, 1917 the daughter of John and Loretta Mae (Thomas) Muffley, and was raised by the Levi & Emma Muffley family. She met her future husband, Samuel at a square dance, and they were married on Feb. 5, 1935 in Three Rivers. Melba was a member of the first L.P.N. class to graduate from Glen Oaks Community College. She and her husband established the Straley House Adult Foster Care Home near Klinger Lake. Melba had worked at the old Three Rivers Hospital, the Fairview Nursing Home in Centreville, and later did private nursing and in-home care. In her spare time she enjoyed needle-work, crocheting, and flower gardening. Melba is survived by 1 son, Dr. Donald Houseworth (Jane Lierman) of Green Valley, AZ; 2 daughters, Marie (James) Wiseman of Marcellus and Loretta (Steven) Stroup of Ft. Wayne; 9 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and 6 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Virgil Muffley and his family; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Samuel in 1987; 3 brothers, Durwood, Lawrence, and Robert Muffley; a sister, Opal June Hamil; 2 grandchildren, Marty Wiseman and Drake Houseworth; 2 great grandchildren, Sammy Forsyth and Karey Boyd. The family will receive friends from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday Dec. 23, 2010 at the First Baptist Church of Newberg (Poe's Corner near Jones). Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. at the church with Melba's grandson in law, Rev. Gregory Peck and Rev. Mike Owen officiating. Burial will be in Poe Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Heartland Hospice. Arrangements were by the Eickhoff, Farrand, Halverson Chapel of Three Rivers. An online register is available and condolences may be left for the family at www.efhchapel.com