June D. Mellen's Obituary
June D. Mellen, of Davidson, passed away peacefully at The Pines of Davidson on April 12, 2011. She was born June 14, 1929 in Cressona , PA to the late Earl Claude Diehl and Sylvia Pinker Diehl. She was a graduate of Cressona High School and earned her nursing degree from Philadelphia Episcopal Hospital. June served in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corp at the Navy Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia and on the USS Repose in Inchon Harbor, South Korea. She married the love of her life John Keller Mellen on Valentine’s Day in 1954, and was a loving wife for 57 years while they raised 4 daughters.
June enjoyed extensive travel, brought on by nearly 20 years of foreign assignments, with John’s 30 years at Mobil Oil. The family lived in Venezuela, Paris, Indonesia, and Egypt, as well as domestic assignments in New York and Dallas. In retirement she enjoyed cruises in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Baltic Seas, as well as Alaska. She also enjoyed extensive travel in the U.S. by motor home. In addition, June enjoyed volunteering, and gardening, particularly in her rose garden.
She is survived by her husband John Mellen of The Pines at Davidson, NC; daughters Teri Lynne Mellen of Cornelius, NC, Vicki Kay Thorp and husband Paul M. Thorp III of Carrollton, TX, Julie Ann Smith, of Huntersville, NC, and Kristi Sue Munson of Coral Springs, FL. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Paul M. Thorp IV and wife Laurinda and their children Brandon and Aidon all of Waco, Texas; John Mellen Thorp of Carrollton, Texas; Corinne Keller Munson and Michael Connor Munson of Coral Springs, FL; and Christian Keller Smith of Huntersville, NC.
A memorial service is planned for 11am Saturday, May 14, 2011 at Huntersville United Methodist Church. The family wishes to thank the staff of The Pines Healthcare Center, Hospice and Palliative Care of Lake Norman, and Dr. Jeff Nielsen for their tender and compassionate care.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Pines Residence Assistance Fund, 400 Avinger Ln., Davidson, NC 28036; Hospice and Palliative Care at Lake Norman, 705 Griffith St., Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036; or Huntersville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 378, Huntersville, NC 28070.
Samuel S. James, FSL, of Huntersville is serving the family. www.samuelsjamesfsl.com
What’s your fondest memory of June?
What’s a lesson you learned from June?
Share a story where June's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with June you’ll never forget.
How did June make you smile?