Willadine F Schroeder-Melcher

Willadine F. Melcher, 89 years old of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2016 at Adams Heritage in Monroeville.

She was born on April 18, 1927 in Hoagland, IN the daughter of the late Theodore Kleine and the late Sophia (Fuelling) Kleine. Willadine was united in marriage with her first husband Paul “Poodle” Schroeder on December 28, 1947 and he preceded her in death on August 31, 1976. She later married Carl Melcher on November 26, 1994 and he preceded her in death on August 19, 2003.

Willadine was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen, St. John Ladies Guild, Hoagland Area Advancement Association, the American Legion Auxiliary in Decatur, and Poe Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary.

Willadine was a homemaker and had worked at Three Kings in Hoagland. Following her time at Three Kings, she along with her husband Paul, were part-owners of the Rheinlander Restaurant in Decatur for approximately 19 years. She then worked at Gerber's as a part time employee.

Surviving are her son, Steven (Sharon) Schroeder of Es Condido, CA; daughter, Debra (David) Grodrian of Columbia City, IN; daughter, Candace (Mike) Neuenschwander of Bluffton, IN; son, Scott (Betty) Schroeder of Ft. Wayne, IN; son, Dennis(Frank Kniffen) Schroeder of Chicago, IL; son, Kevin (Becky) Schroeder of Fort Wayne, IN; daughter, Cynthia (Mitchell) McKinney of Decatur, IN; step-son, Duane (Sue) Melcher of Fort Wayne, IN; step-daughter, Leanne (Dale) Busick of Decatur, IN; step-son, Bill Melcher of Hoagland, IN; and sister, Angie Lehrman of Monroeville, IN.  She is also survived by 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; numerous step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and step-great-great-grandchildren,.

Preceding Willadine in death were a sister Evelyn Gallmeyer and a brother Erwin Kleine.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 12, 2016 at St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen with Pastor Peter Brock officiating. Interment will follow in the St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Bingen.

Friends will be received from 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Sunday December 11, 2016 at the Adams Heritage in Monroeville, and then from 12 noon - 5:00 p.m. Sunday at St. John Lutheran Church, Bingen and on Monday one hour prior to the service at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Worship For Shut-Ins; Lutheran Hour; or St. John Lutheran Church 175 Anniversary Mission Fund.