Isabelle C Cross Melville

She was born January 5, 1918 in Miles City, Montana to Cash R. Cross and Isabelle Clearman Cross. She lived in Miles City and Billings Montana, Spokane, Toppenish and Union Gap. Isabelle came to Toppenish when her father Cash came to work as field representative for the Yakima Indian Agency in 1934. lsabelle was Valedictorian of the Toppenish High School class of 1936. She married Everett E. Melville May 24, 1937 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in 1997. She was Toppenish Librarian while Everett was in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

In 1948, Everett and Isabelle opened a drugstore and soda fountain in Union Gap which they operated until 1954. Some residents may remember the 19 cent banana splits. ln 1954 Everett and Isabelle opened Melville's gift and variety store on the corner of 16th and Summitview in Yakima. In 1956 they started MelBran Distributing and Industrial Supplies .Her other activities included past member and chairperson of the Union Gap Library Board, past president of the Union Gap Civic Betterman Association and member of the board of the YWCA of Yakima.

She is survived by two sons, Paul (Nancy) of Yakima, Cameron (Boddie) of Lake Charles, Louisiana; grandchildren, Isabelle Bauman (Mark), of Springfield Missouri, Nathan Bauman of Richland WA. Rachel Bauman of Berkeley CA. Shawn and Alex Ardabili of Lake Charles, Louisiana and great-grandson, John Everett Turner; a special relationship with Cyndi Hovland-Conner and Pat Reynolds. lsabelle was preceded in death by husband Everett, daughter Sherrin Bauman, brothers Edwin Cross and Frank Cross and parents Cash and Isabelle Cross.

A celebration of Isabelle's life will be held at a later date.