Melba Inez Finch, 92, died Nov. 2, 2008, at Hospice House in Hutchinson.

She was born Feb. 12, 1916, in Rollis, Minn., the daughter of Elon and Lorene Zackman Nauman.

She graduated from Benton High School, St. Joseph, Mo. A resident of Hutchinson for seven years, moving from St. Joseph, Mo., she was manager of Optican Jewelry Store in St. Joseph for 30 years.

She belonged to First Baptist Church, St. Joseph. After moving to Hutchinson, she attended Northminster Presbyterian Church. She was a member of Gold Star Wives, a support group for military wives of soldiers killed in action in World War II.

On July 31, 1932, she married Ray Wyeth Bradford in St. Joseph, Mo. He died in 1943. He was part of the Death March in Bataan during World War II. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the 194th Tank Battalion. She later married James "Ed" Finch on Sept. 5, 1946, in Atchison. He died March 11, 1981.

Survivors include: daughters, Loretta Fletchall and Janis Vincent, both of Hutchinson, and Janiece Chaldecott and husband Larry, Lee's Summit, Mo.; brother, Roger Nauman and wife Julia, Kansas City, Mo.; four grandchildren, Ed Fletchall and wife, Jolene, Wichita, Kimberly Fletchall, Mulvane, Judy Chellew and husband Dennis, St. Joseph, Mo., and Karen Miller and husband Paul, Lee's Summit, Mo.; 10 great-grandchildren, Josh Fletchall, Jody McNeill and Becky Gard, all of Wichita, Sam Jackson, John Jackson, Sarah Chellew and Jake Chellew, all of St. Joseph, Mo., Michael Miller, Grant Miller and Noelle Miller, all of Lee's Summit, Mo.; five great-great-grandchildren, Corbin McNeill, Kaylee McNeill, Jessica Vogel and Christian Gard, all of Wichita, and Will Jackson, St. Joseph, Mo.; also surviving is Carolyn McCollum, whom was like a daughter, Hutchinson.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Geneieve Taylor.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Northminster Presbyterian Church, Hutchinson, with the Rev. Skip Johnson presiding. Cremation will take place following the funeral service. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday with the family present from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Graveside inurnment service will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery, St. Joseph, Mo., at a later date.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Reno County or Northminster Presbyterian Church in care of the mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave personal condolences for the family.