Melba Ione (Hodgin) Harbaugh, 83, who lived at Friendship Village in Waterloo, Iowa, died Wednesday, January 25, 2012, of natural causes. She was born on March 2, 1928, in Ceresco, Nebraska, the daughter of Max and Minnie (Gustafson) Hodgin. She graduated from Orange High School Class of 1945. 

She married Merlin Harbaugh on October 19, 1947 at South Waterloo Church of the Brethren in Waterloo. Melba and Merlin lived on the Harbaugh Century Farm on Ansborough in Orange Township for most of their 64 years of married life.

Before marrying, she was a secretary at John Deere for a couple of years; then a teacher’s aide for 10 years for the Waterloo School District at Orange, Cresthaven, Black Hawk and Castle Hill Schools.

 Melba loved her church...serving on the District and local church boards and volunteering in many other ways. She loved music and sang in the Metropolitan Chorale as well as the church choir for 60 years.  She and Merlin also delivered Meals on Wheels for over 30 years. Melba enjoyed being part of several clubs including West Orange Club, 15-30 Club, a potluck group and a card club. She loved gardening, growing flowers and being a homemaker.

One of her main joys in life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Melba was known for her gentle, caring and compassionate nature. She loved and accepted everyone for who they were.

Melba is survived by her husband; four children: Larry and his wife Lynnie of Portland, Oregon, Carolyn Bellfy, Diane Sittig and her husband Kevin, Dennis and his wife Juanita, all of Waterloo; a foster son, Carl Hunnicutt and his wife Lorena of Independence, Missouri; eight grandchildren: Elizabeth (Chris) Howells, Jonathan Harbaugh, Ty Bellfy, Raechel (Terry) Sittig-Esser, Erek (Kelly) Sittig, Kim Sittig, Jeshua Harbaugh-Williams, and Jordan Harbaugh-Williams; three great-grandchildren: Adeline Sittig, Max Sittig and Isaiah Howells; a brother, Lyle Hodgin and his wife Donna, and two sisters, Marian Christiason and her husband Milo and Carol Hensley.

She is preceded in death by her parents and son-in-law, Peter Bellfy, as well as other in-laws.