VALLONIA
Melba Lorna Beckman Redicker, 96, passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, surrounded by her loving family. Born October 31, 1924, she was the daughter of Otto Beckman and Emma Auffenberg Beckman. Melba’s father Otto was killed in an interurban accident on March 26, 1924, prior to her birth. Emma later married Leo Wehrkamp. Melba lived with her mother and stepfather until she was 12 years old, when her mother died. After her mother’s death, Melba went to live with her paternal grandparents George and Louise Beckman and her aunt Esther Beckman. She remained with them in Seymour after Esther married Andrew Brandt. On June 24, 1951, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, she married Elvert Redicker and moved to their home in Vallonia.
She was preceded in death by her husband who died on December 3, 2011. She is survived by their two children Jane Redicker (Steve) Drake of Silver Spring, MD, and Ray (Jeannie) Redicker of Vallonia.
Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, she was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Vallonia. Melba was a member of Trinity Lutheran Ladies Aid for more than 50 years. She enjoyed working in the church, especially with the Alter Guild and children’s Sunday School. She and Elvert helped to establish the Orphan Grain Train in the area.
A graduate of Sheild’s High School, Seymour, she worked at the Central Pharmaceutical Company until her marriage.
A homemaker since she was married, she enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, sewing, and reading. While able, she enjoyed working in the yard and garden and exhibiting her flowers at the Jackson County Fair. She was a member of the Farm Bureau and served as Driftwood Women’s leader and a Pet & Hobby leader.
She is also survived by three grandchildren: Michael (Theresa) Redicker, Brownstown; Jennifer (Donald) Shoemaker, Vallonia; and Katherine Drake (Denver, CO); and six great grandchildren: Lily Redicker and Claire Redicker of Brownstown; Evan Shoemaker, Graham Shoemaker, Julia Shoemaker, and Caroline Shoemaker of Vallonia. Also, two half-sisters: Beulah Rieckers, Seymour, and LaVonne Bryant, Seymour. Another half-sister, Jean Stuckwisch, and half-brother, Otis Wehrkamp, preceded her in death. She is also survived by her Aunt Esther’s three daughters: Joan (Henry) Messersmith, Cullman, AL; Erna (Richard) Lloyd, Christney, IN; and Ruth (George) DeLay, Columbus, and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vallonia with Pastor Jordan McKinley officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., on Friday, May 14, 2021 at Johnson Funeral Home in Vallonia, and from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church on Saturday. Burial will take place at Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Memorials may be written to Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, Lutheran Hour Ministries, Lutheran Central School, or the donor’s choice of charity.
Johnson Funeral Home will be practicing social distancing according to the CDC guidelines and masks are encouraged to be worn during your visit inside the funeral home & the church.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnsonfh.net.