Gretchen Melchiors

Gretchen was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to all who knew her. She was a faith-filled Catholic and impacted countless lives and communities across the country. She was known for her needlepoint, smocking, knitting, and she especially enjoyed making prayer shawls for sick parishioners. Working with Cardigan Welsh Corgi’s, in both Washington and Arkansas she trained and handled hospital therapy dogs. In Washington, she was a member of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and volunteered with the PREPARES Ministry and the St. Monica’s Guild. Tony and Gretchen joined St. John’s Catholic Church in Hot Springs where she was a member of Women of the Knights of Columbus, Walking with Purpose Bible study, and the Parents Organization of both St. John’s and Lakeside Schools. She loved Hot Springs and served with the Junior Auxiliary. She enjoyed hiking, traveling, and baking and she was known for her prized Pizzelle cookies.

Cherishing her memory are her husband of 50 years, Tony Melchiors; three children, Rob Melchiors (Megan), Keith Melchiors, and Meg Kilcup (Rob); her sister, Susan Boese; grandchildren, Molly, Luke, Alex, Caitlyn, Cruz, Leo, Jasper, and Koa; and a host of friends that will miss her dearly.

Visitation will be 4:00 PM, Thursday June 13 in the chapel of Gross Funeral Home with recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 5:00.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM, Friday at St. John’s Catholic Church with Fr. George Sanders officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Catholic School in Hot Springs.

The online obituary, guest register, and memorial tribute are available at www.GrossFuneralHome.com.