Helen Melvin

With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Helen Melvin was a blessing in the lives of those around her. She was the sort of woman who was content in all things, embracing both the peaks and valleys along her life’s journey with a quiet strength and a humble heart. Helen was blessed to spend the majority of her days alongside her true love with whom she welcomed three sons who later added numerous branches of loved ones on her family tree. She loved being a mother and was thrilled to become a grandmother as her family was her greatest source of pride and joy. Helen will be deeply missed while her memory is forever cherished by those she leaves behind.

During the 1920s America enjoyed days that were filled with great prosperity fueled by innovation that transformed the cultural fabric of our nation. Baseball legends like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb commanded baseball fields from coast to coast while the lights of Broadway never shined brighter. Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh took the world of flight to new heights, and with cars that were more affordable family and friends were connected in ways never before possible. In the midst of this time was the year 1925 that was filled with great anticipation for a young couple from Chicago, Illinois, as they were awaiting the birth of their new baby as the crisp winds of fall settled in. Their wait was over on November 3rd when the baby girl they named Helen R. made her arrival. She was the oldest of six children born to her parents, John and Sophie (Beres) Hragyil, and she was raised in the family home alongside her siblings, Lillian, John, Alice, Frank, and Nancy. Her father worked as a baker while her mother focused her time and attention at home.

The Hragyil family moved to Michigan in the late thirties where Helen settled into her new surroundings with ease. They lived on a farm for a time and later moved to Ravenna. Helen attended Ravenna High School, but she was unable to graduate as she needed to leave school in order to work, which was fairly common for the youth of her generation. It was certainly something when Helen played the Concertina at the Ravenna High School pep rally, and this experience made a huge impact in her life, too, as she always recalled this as her best high school memory.

Life was filled with unspeakable excitement when Helen laid eyes on the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Robert Melvin, and they met at a company baseball game while both were working at Sutherland Paper Mill. The couple began dating and soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together Helen and Robert were married on June 24, 1950. Together they welcomed three sons into their hearts and home: Jerry, Robert, and David.

As a mother Helen was an active part of her children’s lives. She became well versed in sports of all kinds as a mother of three boys. Helen was also a Cub Scout den leader and room mother, and she additionally helped out in a variety of ways at all their school events and band boosters for Schoolcraft schools. Later in life Helen was thrilled to welcome seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren into the fold. Her family was always first and foremost in her life, and when it came to her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren she was truly selfless.

As her friends and family can attest, Helen always had to be busy doing something. In addition to caring for her family she had a wide variety of interests. She attended St. Martin of Tours and enjoyed camping when time allowed. The men in Helen’s life knew that roses would always melt her heart, yet she also didn’t shy away from cleaning and cooking her own fish. When it came to sports she enjoyed both college football, especially Notre Dame, and baseball with her beloved Detroit Tigers. Helen enjoyed spending time in the kitchen baking some of her mother’s timeless recipes, and there was nothing like her Christmas chocolate candy. She liked polka music, too.

Through the life of Helen Melvin we are reminded that there is little value found in building wealth or gaining possessions as this was not the focus of Helen’s life, rather, she made it her mission to live life to the fullest each day while holding her loved ones near. She was kindhearted and compassionate, offering love unconditionally and with no strings attached. Helen will never be forgotten.

Helen Melvin, of Schoolcraft, died on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Helen’s family includes her three children: Jerry (Janet) Melvin, of Eastpointe; Robert (Judy) Melvin, of Portage; David (Linda Walsh) Melvin, of Schoolcraft; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; and her siblings: Alice (Robert) Duncan, of Kalamazoo; Frank (Joyce) Hragyil, of FL; Nancy (George) Kolosar, of Paw Paw. Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Melvin, Sr. The family will receive friends on Saturday, from 10 to 11AM, at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, at 11AM at the church. Burial at Schoolcraft Cemetery. Please visit Helen’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory and sign the guestbook. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the D.A.V.