Melvin Houlden

Jan. 22, 1929 - March 7, 2007

ELWOOD -- Melvin Houlden, 78, died Wednesday (March 7, 2007) at Elwood Care Center.

He was born Jan. 22, 1929, at Lexington to Clyde Sr. and Mary (Hanson) Houlden. He attended school in Elwood and graduated in 1948. He attended college at York.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951, and was stationed in Korea until August 1953. He then farmed with his father south of Elwood.

He married Berdina Lucille Moritz on Jan. 1, 1956, at Salem Lutheran Church of rural Elwood. They made their home south of Elwood where he farmed and did carpentry work for 35 years.

He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 290 of Elwood.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Clyde Houlden Jr.; sister, Doris Moncrief; and grandson, Shayne MacDonald.

Survivors include his wife, Berdina Houlden of Elwood; sons, Stan and wife, Margo Houlden of Friend, Ed and wife, Julie Houlden of Elwood, Dan and wife, Suzanne Houlden of Memphis, Tenn., Rocky and wife, Suzie Oaklund of Kearney, Russell and wife, Judy Oaklund of Wahoo and Ronnie and wife, Katrina Oaklund of Elwood; daughters, Connie Houlden of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mary Jane and husband, John Ervin of North Liberty, Iowa, Nancy and husband, Steve Schutz of Elwood, Susie and husband, Tim MacDonald of Amherst, Ohio and Linda and husband, Carl Clark of Milford; brother, Dean and wife, Elaine Houlden of Elwood; sister, Barbara and husband, Dave Holloway of Poquosen, Va.; 18 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, 1:30 p.m., at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Elwood, with the Rev. Jeff Ernstmeyer officiating. Burial will be at Elwood Cemetery, with military rites given by the American Legion Post No. 290 of Elwood.

Visitation is today until 8 p.m., at Elwood Funeral Home in Elwood. Condolences or personal reflections may be left at www.elwoodfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be given to the American Legion Post No. 290 of Elwood or the Elwood Legion baseball program.

Elwood Funeral Home of Elwood is in charge of arrangements.