Eugene "Gene" Melcher

Eugene “Gene” Melcher, 90, formally of New Haven, Indiana passed away Sunday, January 25, 2026, at his residence at Lake James in Angola, Indiana.

He was born on Tuesday, February 12, 1935, in New Haven the son of the late Gerald and Vera (Hormann) Melcher. He was united in marriage to the late Alberta Mae "Birdie" Dettmer on April 8, 1956, in in New Haven, Indiana.

Gene was a lifelong farmer. He was also a member of the Carpenter's union for 52 years. Gene and Birdie enjoyed the Lake James area so much it became their summer home. They enjoyed wintering at their home in Fort Myers, Florida. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and belonged to the New Haven Coon Hunters Club. They were very active with the Hoagland Area Advancement Association/Octoberfest. Even at the age of 90 he loved attending to his vegetable garden.

He was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Fremont, Indiana. They were active and served at Lake James Lutheran Chapel. Prior to moving to the lakes, Gene and Birdie had been members of Emanuel Lutheran Church in New Haven since their wedding day.

Survivors include his son, Gary (Chris) Melcher of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; sister, Janice (Les) Zelt of Hoagland, Indiana; brother, Roger (Donnalyn) Melcher of Fort Wayne, Indiana; brother, Ray (Jane) Melcher of New Haven, Indiana; three grandchildren: Joshua (Nikole) Melcher, Ryan (Jackie) Melcher, and Jessica (Chris) Zablocki; and eight great-grandchildren, Jax (Annika) Melcher, Jake Melcher, Clara Melcher, Micah Melcher, Maddux Melcher, Zoey Zablocki, Zara Zablocki, and Zola Zablocki, Birdie’s sister, Valera (Eugene) Evans of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, at Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven, Indiana with Pastor Jared Rudolph officiating with interment to follow in the Concordia Cemetery Gardens in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Friends and family will be received from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 29, 2026 at the Emanuel Lutheran Church, New Haven and also one hour prior to services on Friday, also at the church.

Preferred memorials are to Peace Lutheran Church Building Fund; Emanuel Lutheran Church; Worship Anew; or Donor's Choice.

Arrangements by Zwick and Jahn Funeral Homes of Decatur, Indiana