Jackson Township resident Melba Grace Trowbridge, 88, died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, at the Whispering Pines Health Care Center in Valparaiso.

She was born Sept. 26, 1917, in Chicago, the daughter of John B. and Emma (Samuelson) Hamilton, who preceded her in death.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Perry J. Trowbridge.

She is survived by two sons, Ralph (wife Janet) Trowbridge of Muncie and Robert Trowbridge of Puerta Ventura, Mexico; a daughter, Carol (husband Steve) Walker of Chesterton; two daughters-in-law, Dr. Myrna Trowbridge and Peggy Trowbridge, both of Valparaiso; a sister, Louise Millward of Pana, Ind.; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Richard and Perry “Sonny” Trowbridge; two sisters, Marie Pietey and Bernice McCabe; and three brothers, Al, Robert, and Louis “Chubby” Hamilton.

An area resident since 1941, she belonged to the Crocker Baptist Church and the Bible Baptist Church in Portage. In the mid-1960s she operated a grocery store in Crocker. She also worked at various businesses in Chesterton, including The Plastic Factory and Wilbar Manufacturing Company, and at Millers Mart in Valparaiso. She sold Sarah Coventry jewelry as well.

Funeral services, the Rev. Donald Good officiating, are scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway in Chesterton. She will be interred at Graceland Cemetery in Valparaiso.

Visitation is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Edmonds & Evans and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday.

Memorials may be made to Bible Baptist Church of Portage, 6659 U.S. Highway 6, Portage, IN 46368.

Posted 10/19/2005