By Rebecca Billman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mrs. Melter

Helen L. Melter didn't think her work at a food and clothing shelter was that important in the grand scheme of things. But she thought it was her duty to do what she could.

So she went over to the Valley Interfaith Food and Clothing Center in Lockland every Sunday to stock the pantry with leftover food from restaurants and took home donated clothing needing repair.

"She was very self-effacing," said her daughter, Diana K. Bragg of Indianapolis.

She "didn't think what she did was very important, but because of her efforts, her energy, her running through life, she touched many, many people."

Mrs. Melter died Monday at University Hospital after falling in her Pleasant Ridge home.

She was 86.

Born and raised in Columbus, she graduated with honors from South High School and longed to become a nurse. But as the Depression was worsened, she became a comptometer operator instead.

She moved to Cincinnati in 1937 after marrying Robert H. Melter, a Cincinnati native and employee at Procter & Gamble.

"Her heart and activities centered around her family and her church," said her daughter.

"She took care to make sure that we understood that our purpose here on Earth was to love and to serve others."

She took it upon herself to look out for her neighbors, as well.

"Helen knew how to relate to everybody," said neighbor Gordon Baer. "She had a tremendous barnyard philosophy."

Her daughter said Mrs. Melter "kind of looked out for everyone on her street. She was the unofficial mayor of O'Meara Place."

After her husband's death in 1981, Mrs. Melter became "a tireless worker'' for those in need, her daughter said.

She was also active at St. John United Church of Christ in Reading, helping the secretary with mailings and communications and singing in the choir.

"I think God would say, `Well done, my good and faithful servant,' " her daughter said.

In addition to her daughter, survivors include a son, James Melter of Kettlersville, Ohio; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 10:30 a.m. today at Memorial Mausoleum Chapel, Spring Grove Cemetery.

Memorials: St. John United Church of Christ, 729 Jefferson Ave., Reading, OH 45215.