Barbara Anne Melikan

Barbara Anne Melikan, 71, of Temple, Texas passed away peacefully on November 8, 2017, surrounded by her loving family. The Brooklyn, New York native was born September 30, 1946, the second child of Richard T. Schlosberg, Jr. and Helen M. Schlosberg of Newark, Delaware. Barbara completed nursing school in 1967 at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles and selflessly served her communities as a registered nurse for forty years, the last ten as a Utilization and Case Manager supporting soldiers and their families at Fort Hood, Texas. Service with a smile and a kind word always epitomized her approach and she lived a full life characterized by her relentless commitment to always going the extra hundredth mile to serve others. Barbara retired in 2006 after developing a rare lung disease during which she also underwent a successful lung transplant. With her husband, Barbara devoted the rest of her life to helping others navigate the lung transplant process while dedicating her time to organ donor awareness. She is survived by her devoted husband, who for 53 years she always referred to as the love of her life, Mark G. Melikan, Sr. of Temple, Texas; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Mark G. Melikan, Jr. and his wife Breanne of Oakton, Virginia, and Todd M. Melikan and his wife Michelle of Waco, Texas; two brothers, Richard T. Schlosberg, III of San Antonio, Texas, Robert S. Schlosberg of Newark, Delaware; two sisters, Marjorie J. Long of Hockessin, Delaware, Helen K. Dougherty of Newark, Delaware; and five grandchildren. Barbara and her Mark, Sr. plan to eventually reunite through interment together at Arlington National Cemetery. The family will receive visitors on Friday, November 17, 2017, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home, 3110 Airport Rd., Temple, Texas with Dr. Tom Robbins officiating. A memorial service in celebration of Barbara’s life will take place on Saturday, November 18, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 102 North 2nd St., Temple, Texas. The family invites all attendees to share in fellowship and refreshments immediately thereafter. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Barbara Melikan Lung Transplant Research Fund. Inquiries regarding contributions may be directed to Ms. Carol Swartz, Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, Vice President, Development, The University of Texas Health Science Center of San Antonio, [email protected], (210) 567-2028, and Barbara requests to “Please sign up to be an organ donor.” We thank friends and family for the outpouring of love and support extended to us throughout Barbara’s journey. We are eternally grateful to you all.