Our Savior Jesus Christ has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Let us remember with thanksgiving what God has done through his servant Melba Nolte.
Melba June Nolte was given life by her creator and was born on June 30, 1934, the child of Harry and Cecil (Sessions) Hodge in Odin. On August 24, 1947, she received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. On May 4, 1986, she publicly confessed her faith and was confirmed. Throughout her life, she received the precious gift of the Lord’s life-giving body and blood.
Melba was married to Robert “Bob” Crunk. They later divorced. On December 8, 1984, she received the gift of a beloved companion, George Nolte, of 39 years, and he survives.
She was blessed with the gift of children, a son, David Crunk of Kell. Her daughter, Patricia “Patti” Matyasec of Bourbannais preceded her in death due to cancer. She also has a son-in-law, Lawerence “Larry” Matyasec of Bourbannais; 5 grandchildren, Trisha Crunk of Centralia, Brandi Bruno of Vandalia, Max (Summer) Crunk of Centralia, Annie Matyasec of Bourbonnais, Meghan Matyasec of Manteno; 13 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. God blessed her life with many special people as she served God in her vocations at home, church, work, and in the community.
Melba leaves behind her sister, Mary Ann (Lanny) Hubble of Odin; brothers-in-law, James (Carmen) Nolte of Iuka, Earl Nolte of Odin; Robert (Linda) Nolte of Iuka, David (Sheri) Nolte of Boulder, Bradley Nolte of rural Carlyle; sisters-in-law, Joan Hodge of Centralia, Ruth (Dr. Richard) Holland of Sandoval, Debra (Ronald) Albers Jr. of rural Carlyle, and Mary Ann Nolte of Boulder
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Cecil Hodge; father and mother-in-law, Henry and Helen Nolte; daughter, Patti Matyasec; grandson, Zachary Matyasec; brothers, Eugene Hodge, Leon Hodge, Kenny Hodge, Robert Eugene “Bob” Hodge, and Curt Hodge; a sister, Darlene (Melvin) Levart; brother-in-law, Jerry Nolte; nephews, Terry Hodge, and Tim Nolte; niece, Vicki Brckovich.
God blessed Melba with the heart of a servant to work in the Odin Healthcare Center, and also to serve as a custodian at the Sandoval Post Office along with many private cleaning jobs. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, game shows on television, and baking and cooking for her beloved husband and family. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Ferrin along with being a past member of the Ladies Aid/LWML circle.
Finally, on Sunday, October 20, 2024, God blessed Melba with a holy death and took her home to rest in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection of the dead.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed by the name of the Lord. We give thanks to God our Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord, for our sister, Melba Nolte.
A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the Peaceful Valley Cemetery in Odin with Rev. Jonathan Jennings officiating. Friends and family are welcome to a visitation time from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Day Macz Funeral Home in Sandoval. Memorials may be made in Melba’s honor to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Bethlehem Ladies Aid/LWML and will be accepted for the family at the Day Macz Funeral Home 311 North Pine St. Sandoval, Il 62882. Online condolences and memories of Melba may be shared with the family by visiting maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
