Melba J. Kelder

Mrs. Kelder left this earthly life December 23, 2016. She was born, September 21, 1926 in Killeen, Texas, the daughter of John W. and Susie M. Bishop Springer. Mrs. Kelder grew up on Bacon Ranch (now Yowell Ranch) in a farming and ranching family. She graduated from Killeen High School in 1944. At age seventeen, and with required permission from her mother, she began working at Camp Hood. On November 6, 1945, she married George M. Kelder and moved to Missouri for one year. Upon their return to Killeen, Mrs. Kelder went to work as a dental assistant at Fort Hood. She continued her employment until November 1992. During her forty-three years at Fort Hood, one of her most fond memories was having Elvis Presley as a dental patient.

Mrs. Kelder was an avid bowler for many years. In 1996, she was a member of the Texas Women’s Bowling Association State Champion Team, while bowling for El Chico of Killeen. She was also a huge fan of the Texas Rangers. For many years she and her cousin, Jane Farris, would talk after every game and analyze what went right or should have been better. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and attended Southside Church of Christ since it began in the late 1960’s.

Mrs. Kelder was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George M. Kelder, Sr., two sisters, Merle Dean Bowles and Theda Rae Springer; two sons, Michael Lynn Kelder and John Randy Kelder; a grandson, Michael Lynn Kelder, Jr.; a nephew and two nieces. Survivors include son, George Melverne “Mel” Kelder, Jr. and wife Susan of Belton, three grandsons, John Kelder of Austin, Tanner Kelder of Belton, and David McBride Kelder of Copperas Cove; three granddaughters, Whitney Galvin and husband Ash of Belton, Kylie Kelder of New York City, and Stacie Ann Norman and husband Michael of Austin; a nephew Royce Bowles of Killeen; ten great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 27, 2016 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Crawford Bowers Funeral Home in Killeen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Southside Church of Christ, 1505 Trimmier Road, Killeen, Texas 76541. Please visit www.crawford-bowersfuneralhome.com for online tributes.