Melba Lucille Edick Harlacher passed away in Snowflake on Monday, June 8, 2015. She will be missed by her friends and family. No public services are planned at this time.
She was born to Frank Edick and Clara Vandwalker in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 18, 1917.
Melba traveled extensively in the United States during and after World War II with her husband, Carl M. Harlacher, who died in 1986. Carl trained plane mechanics, was on the Bunker Hill, was given a commission and was a top plane inspector, assisting in the war effort. After the war, they made their home in various places, including Grants Pass, Ore., Renton, Wash., Salt Lake City, Utah, various parts of California, including Lake Arrowhead and Mountain View, and Lake Havasu, Phoenix and Sun City.
She loved and was loved by all animals she came in contact with. They seemed to sense her caring and concern.
Melba was a good homemaker who excelled in sewing, knitting and crocheting. She most often made items for others, rather than herself. She knit many baby hats for newborns at the hospital.
Her Lord and her church family were extremely important to her. After Carl passed away, Melba spent hours driving friends and others to Bible Study and church.
Melba’s surviving family includes two sons, Larry Carl Harlacher (Nancy) and Donald R. Harlacher (Loretta), four grandchildren, Danielle, Chris, Erin (Brad) and Lauren, and five great-grandchildren, all living in Missouri; siblings of Carl; and many nieces and nephews.
Donations can be made to the Mission Fund at Calvary Baptist Church, 241 East McNeil, Show Low, Ariz., 85901 or to Hospice Compassus, 1789 Commerce Drive, Lakeside, Ariz. 85929.
Owens Livingston Mortuary of Snowflake was in charge of the arrangements.
