Adela Melchert

MELCHERT, PETERS ADELA
Seymour

Adela Peters Melchert, age 91, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2010 in Seymour. She was born June 23, 1918 to the late George and Ida (Schultz) Peters, a pioneer business family that settled in Black Creek just after the Civil War. She was valedictorian of her Shiocton High School class at age 16. She joined her father working at the Bank of Black Creek in 1935, later moving to the First National Bank of Seymour. She was a life-long member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Black Creek where she served for over 50 years in musical roles including choir director and organist. She was also organist at the Black Creek Methodist Church for 14 years, and played for weddings, funerals, and special events throughout the community for many years. She enjoyed singing Handel's Messiah at Lawrence College.

On June 18, 1950, she was united in marriage to Henry Melchert, who preceded her in death in 1971. After her husband's death, she continued to operate the family business, Melchert's Mayfair, with her children. Adela sang with the Chaminade Chorus in Appleton and the Seymour Community Chorus for many years, and later began playing the harp. She was a member of the Fox Valley Symphony League for 40 years. As a board member of the Outagamie County Historical Society, Adela cast the motion to purchase the Masonic Temple which now serves as the Outagamie County Museum. She had a strong interest in family genealogy and community history and was a member of the Seymour and Black Creek historical societies.

Adela is survived by her four children and their families: Ken (Rebecca), Neenah and their children Adriane, John, and Alex; Dr. Randall (Lori), Menomonee Falls and their children Randy, John, Melodie, Tamara, and Marisa; Dr. Tim (Susan Schroeder), Fox Point and their children Drew, Jack, and Maya; and Dr. Elizabeth (Tom LaViolette), Appleton and their children Kathryn, Kelsey, Luke, and Logan. She is also survived by a sister, Leone Tilly, sisters-in-law Marie Melchert and Jean Melchert, brother-in-law Robert (Marion) Melchert, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister Helen Corsette (Ralph), brother Earl Peters (Faith), sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Walter (Ruth), Ray (Lucy), Alfred (Lulu), Elmer (Virginia), Ruth (Lloyd), Carl, Esther, and William.

Friends may call at Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home, Seymour, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, and Thursday at St. John's United Church of Christ, Black Creek from 9:30 until services at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Don Baumann will be officiating. Burial will be at the Seymour City Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.muehlboettcher.com