Melba E. VanHorn Dies; Longtime Sitkan was 98
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- Created on Thursday, 28 April 2022 15:05
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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.