Julia Agnes Small Melvin, age 85, of 82 S. Rosedale Ave., Greenville, passed away on Thursday, July 1 at UPMC Hamot, Erie. Mrs. Melvin was born November 25, 1935, in Greenville to Alfred W. and Gladys S. Small. She was a 1953 graduate of the former Penn High School in Greenville, and enjoyed her time as a clarinet player in the marching band there. Mrs. Melvin was employed for 25 years at the First National Bank, retiring in 1995. She was previously employed at the Bessemer Railroad and at Steel Car.

She had loyal friends in her church, neighborhood and card clubs. Her dear high school friends met to play cards, visit and help each other through life for over 65 years. On Oct. 12, 1957, she married her true love, Howard Franklin Melvin. He passed away on May 20, 2014. They went ice skating on their first date and she continued skating into her eighties on the rinks her son made for her. She was a loving woman, so each and every family member and friend knew that they were her favorite. She was also an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers and Pirates.

As a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, Greenville, she served on the church council, as a trustee, was a member of the Methodist Womens’ Society, helped with Bible School and with many, many church dinners. She was baptised, confirmed and married there. Julia was a volunteer at UPMC Horizon and Good Shepherd.

Surviving are: three daughters, Lynn Sue Melvin Stewart and her husband James, Fredonia; Maxine Jessie Cole and her husband Dathan, Brecksville, Ohio; and Jane Margaret Ladisic and her husband Gary, Sharpsville, a son, Wendell A. Melvin, Greenville; her sister, Sue Small Mills, Lebanon, Pa.; and her grandchildren, Jessica Lyn Stewart Popovitch and her husband Lou, Samantha Marie Bey and her husband Adam, Zachary Aaron Ladisic, Joshua Alexander Ladisic, Olivia Lynn Warner and her husband Matthew, and Patrick Lee Cole; and a sister-in-law Millie Melvin. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; an infant sister, Mary Ann; her brothers-in-law, William Mills, Harold Melvin and his wife Dorothy, Ralph D. Melvin, and Donald E. Melvin and his wife Marilyn; sisters-in-law, Frances Lawton and her husband Dick; and Alice Linn and her husband Dick; and a grandson, Levi Jonathan Stewart.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to First United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, In memory of Julia Small Melvin, 73 Clinton St., Greenville, PA 16125. Arrangements entrusted to Loutzenhiser-Jordan Funeral Home and and Cremation Services, Inc, 366-368 S. Main St., Greenville, PA.