Tuesday, June 24, 2025
With heavy hearts, we are sad to announce that Maxine Melcher, 94, of East Wenatchee, passed away quietly and peacefully on Sunday, May 4.
Maxine Mae Batliner was born on April 16, 1931, to Nicholas and Florence (Leffers) Batliner in Humphrey, Nebraska. The second of four girls, she had many fond memories of her life in Nebraska with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins before their move to Washington. In 1944, Maxine and her sisters boarded a train with their mother that would take them to join their father, Nick, in Orondo. Mom always said they left Nebraska with a bag of sandwiches and $20 and had money left over at the end of the trip.
Their families’ frugal ways served them all well as they made a new life in Washington. Maxine graduated from Wenatchee High School and married Larry Melcher on December 1st, 1951, at Saint Paul Lutheran Church in Wenatchee. Maxine took part in the creation of the new East Wenatchee Faith Lutheran Church in 1956 and 1957. She was rarely absent from the Sunday worship and took part in the preschool, swimming club, and Bible study for over 50 years. Maxine was the last chartered member of the East Wenatchee Faith Lutheran Church at her passing.
Maxine and Larry had five sons together, weathering the loss of one at birth and their 17-year-old son Timothy, who tragically died in 1979. Maxine worked at many different packing sheds while raising their children and worshipping the Lord. She shared many holidays, BBQs, and celebrations with her family and her sister's families over the years. Maxine retired from packing fruit in 2001. Their door was always open, and she had more time to devote to her garden, canning food, sewing many useful and keepsake items, and hosting family gatherings. She loved to read and could often be found at her table, looking at flowers, birds, and wildlife with a cup of coffee and a book. Larry passed in 2019, and Maxine continued to keep the family home and attend church regularly. Seventy-plus years of memories were created in that home and will be cherished by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Maxine is survived by her sons: Ron (Mavis) Melcher of Ephrata, Leslie (JoAnn) Melcher of East Wenatchee, and Cameron (Sherrin) Melcher of Yakima. 10 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins who will also miss her greatly. She is preceded in death by her husband Larry, sons Larry and Tim, sisters Gloria Hinderer, Darlene Fry, June Craig, and a beloved great-granddaughter Evelyn Melcher.
A celebration of her life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, located at 171 Eastmont Ave. in East Wenatchee, on Thursday, June 12, at 11:00 a.m.. A light luncheon will follow the service.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at East Wenatchee Senior Living and Confluence Home Health and Hospice.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4
