Melba Jane Hall, 89, also known as MJ by her husband and friends, passed away at 12:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022, at Tipton Place in Huntington. She was 89.
MJ was born on Dec. 22, 1932, in Huntington County, the daughter of Roy Fritz and Gladys (Schickedanz) Fritz. She graduated from Lancaster High School with the class of 1950 and married her one true love Basil “Dean” Hall on March 30, 1952, in Huntington. Dean preceded her in death on Dec. 30, 2014. They shared 62 years of marriage and were co-owners of the Uptown Tavern in Huntington for 45 years. She was a member of Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church of Huntington.
MJ was a wonderful cook, an avid reader, and extremely creative in decorating and sewing. She loved basketball and never missed watching Indiana University or Purdue University games. Her greatest pleasure was in helping the coaches “coach.” She was quite the golfer in her day and held the title “Women’s Golf Champion of the Year” at Etna Acres golf course. MJ was devoted to her family and a faithful servant of the Lord.
Survivors include her son, David W. (Bonnie) Hall of Huntington; daughter, Sandra L. (Keston Smith) Guffey of Fort Wayne; sister, Marjorie L Heitz of Wabash; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husband, Basil Dean Hall; father, Roy Jacob Fritz; mother, Gladys Anna Fritz; sister, Betty M Snider; brother, Gene E. Fritz; and grandsons, Dustin Schmalzried and Kevin Guffey.
Visitation will be from 10 - 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022, at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church, 830 Cherry Street, Huntington, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. with Fr. Tony Steinacker officiating. Burial will be in Gardens of Memory.
Preferred memorials to the Masses to Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington.
Please sign the online guest book at www.baileylove.com.
Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the family of Melba “MJ” Hall.
