Melba E. VanHorn Dies; Longtime Sitkan was 98

Melba Evelyn VanHorn

 

Melba Evelyn VanHorn, a Sitka resident for 41 years, passed away here on May 23, at the age of 98.

She was born June 17, 1923, in Binkelman, Nebraska, the daughter of Grace and Lovell Miller.

She moved to Sitka from Lebanon, Oregon, on May 30, 1980. A baker, she worked at the Nugget Restaurant and Sea Mart.

Melba was well loved by her family and friends – a cheerful, loving and vibrant grandmother. She loved spending time with her granddaughters, Tammy and Tanna, and her eight great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed attending Grace Harbor church. She liked doing crafts, including crocheting, knitting and sewing, and baking was a favorite hobby.

Melba was preceded in death by her husbands, Dammas “Dick” Dekuyper and Allen VanHorn; daughters Gloria Jean Little and Sandra (Little) Tucker; a sister, Margorie (Miller) Furguson; brother Eldred “Buck” Miller; and step-granddaughter, Dawna Tucker.

She is survived by her granddaughter Tanna Bartlett and husband Mark Bartlett; great-grandchildren Sharla Boddy Bartlett, Curt Bartlett, Derek Bartlett and Ryan Bartlett, all of Sitka; granddaughter Tammy Sumauang and husband Emy Sumauang and great-grandchildren Brody Sumauang, Jaren Sumauang, Kyler Sumauang and Santanna Sumauang, all of Sitka; son-in-law Leonard Tucker of Sitka; and step-grandson William Dale Tucker.

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20 YEARS AGO

October 2004

The Sitka High School baseball, softball, football and football cheerleading programs got a boost Tuesday when the School Board unanimously approved $17,000 in coaching stipends for the sports. The programs, which were started by community members and hadn’t received district funding before, will remain responsible for paying their own travel expenses.

50 YEARS AGO

October 1974

Photo caption: Howard Fitzgerald collects his trophy and cash prize from Sitka Chamber of Commerce President Gordon Harang, several days after the Sept. 8 demolition derby held at Granite Creek gravel pit. Fitzgerald, sponsored by A&T Enterprises, eliminated six other autos in the final championship jousting. Tex Armer, also of A&T, was second and Bud Niesen was third.



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