Gloria Martha Melcher

Gloria Pahl Melcher, 83, died at home in Redlands on May 14th, from complications of leukemia.

Gloria was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 19th, 1932 to German immigrants Herbert and Johanna Pahl. She was the seventh of eight children. She graduated from West High School in Salt Lake City. In 1951, she married Eugene Capper Melcher also of Salt Lake City. In 1957, with two small children, Gene Jr. and Marty, they moved to Los Angeles, where Gene Sr. worked for Western Airlines at LAX. After a few years, they bought a house in Culver City, where their daughter Johanna was born and they lived there until 1987 when Gene's job required them to move to Atlanta Georgia for his final 4 years of work. In 1991, upon Gene's retirement, they followed their sons and moved to Redlands.

Throughout her life, Gloria had jobs ranging from waitress to school librarian to volunteer. She was an active member of the First United Methodist church and volunteered for “Meals on Wheels”. Her most cherished profession was that of wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved her family and stayed close to her brothers and sisters in Salt Lake City. She was a friend to all.

Gloria is survived by her husband Gene, children Gene Jr. (Carol), Marty (Carolyn) and Johanna Watt (Kevin), 9 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, sister Fay Burns of Salt Lake City, brother Alex Pahl of Mesquite, Nevada, and more than 40 nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Redlands First United Methodist Church on Saturday, May 28th, 11am.

Gloria requested that in lieu of flowers a donation be made to the Redlands First United Methodist Church.