Barbara Jean Melvin

Barbara Jean Melvin, age 90, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away peacefully at home on February 1, 2024. She was born February 18, 1933, at home in Texas Corners to Joseph and Anna (Urban) Papierz. 

Barbara graduated from Comstock High School, class of ‘51. Shortly following that, she married the love of her life James Melvin on August 2, 1952. She worked at the now defunct Kalamazoo Stationery Company, afterward transitioning to an insurance company. Her longest employment tenure was with the Eckrich company, starting as a secretary and working her way up to managing the HR department- which she did for over 30 years. 

In her retirement, Barbara proudly served our veterans as the Commander of the Honor Guard for the Comstock VFW Post 6252, from 2005-2018. 

Barbara is survived by her sister, Suzanne Yvonne Stevens; nephew and caregiver, Stephen Papierz; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna (Urban) Papierz; her husband, James Melvin; her siblings: Ely, Virginia, Joseph, Rudy, Frank, Clarence, Bernard, Dennis, Mary Skalski, Emma Kruzich and Gertrude Bushouse. 

A lover of family, friends and nature, Barbara especially loved her hummingbirds and all 4-legged fur babies.  

Cremation has taken place and Barbara will be laid to rest with her husband at 11:00am on Tuesday, February 20 at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Road, Augusta, MI 49012.