Helen Melville Obituary

Helen Marie (Moucha) Melville, 87 of Jim Falls, passed away on Sunday, January 25, 2026 at Marshfield Medical Center in Eau Claire, WI.

She was born November 1, 1938 in Chippewa County to Elizabeth (Seaman) and Edward Moucha. Neighbor "Grandma Goettl" (Anna Goettl) helped deliver her on the Moucha home farm in Drywood, WI. She grew up on the home farm in Drywood, attended the Little Drywood School until the 8th grade, and graduated from Cadott High School in 1956. In the summers throughout high school, she worked as a nanny in Chicago.

Helen married Earl Melville on November 10, 1956 at the Methodist Church in Jim Falls. During their marriage they resided in Chippewa Falls except for in 1961 when they lived in Washington because of Earl's deployment for the Berlin Crisis. Before Earl passed in 2011, they enjoyed 57 years together hosting parties, card games, campouts, and traveling throughout the U.S., to Mexico, and to Europe. They loved to raise chickens and have a big garden that would fill the root cellar with canned goods. Helen helped Earl with the Chippewa Brass Foundry, the family business, working as the secretary/treasurer, organizing company parties, working in the core room and making plaques for local landmarks.

Later in life, Helen enjoyed 15 years with her companion, Edward Bobb. Together they raised chickens, attended polka festivals, gardened, made maple syrup, took casino trips, and hosted family get-togethers. She truly enjoyed the time she shared with Ed.

Helen was the secretary for Chippewa Brass; past secretary of the Eagle's Snowmobiling Club; past leader for her children's cub scout and girl scout groups, and a member of the ZCBJ Lodge Bohemian Hall in Cadott.

Helen will be remembered as a social butterfly and was able to strike up a conversation with anyone. She enjoyed cooking and sharing foods of her Bohemian heritage. She loved to gamble and with a twinkle in her eye, would say, "I'm running away" when headed to the casino. She took great pleasure competing in local card tournaments. She loved thrift sales and auctions. Her famous saying was, "Never pay full price for anything!"

Survivors include: her companion, Ed Bobb of Jim Falls; a daughter, Lori Melville of Eau Claire; three sons, Robert of Eau Claire, Joseph (Carolyn) of Boyd, and James (Nicole) of Chippewa Falls; six grandchildren, Brittany, Brooke (Jake) Latcham, Bryan, Alex, Quintin, and Hannah; four great grandchildren, Earlando, Amiyah, D'Marion, and Amora; Ed Bobb's children, Jim (Shannon) Bobb, Judy Maier, Janice (Todd) Ehman, Jeneil (John) Cunningham, and Jason (Lauren) Bobb; sisters-in-law, Marlene Moucha, Sharon Moucha, Jean Moucha, all of Cadott; brother-in-law Alvin (Kathy) Melville of Chippewa Falls; many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews, and many friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband Earl; parents Elizabeth and Edward; sisters Loretta (died in infancy) and Shirley Moucha: brothers Marvin, Gene, Art, Kenny, and Bob; in-laws Jane Moucha, Lois Moucha, Marian and Ray Schultz, Ronald and Arlene Melville, and Dave Moucha; ex brothers-in-law George Sima and Robert Kandler; nieces and nephews June (Sima) Wajek, Tula Moucha, Edward Moucha, and Terrence and Burma Kandler.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026 at Jim Falls United Methodist Church in Jim Falls, WI with Pastor Greg Sima officiating.

Friends and family may call from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday at the church.

After the service, a luncheon will follow at Anson Town Hall in Jim Falls, WI. Please join us in celebrating Helen and bring your favorite stories for a time of sharing.

May all of your Euchre hands be "5" hands and all of your polka dances be long.