Melba M. Metteer

February 3, 1930 - December 26, 2016

Melba May Metteer
February 3, 1930 – December 26, 2016
 
Melba Swearingen Metteer, 86, was born in Yoncalla, Oregon and moved with her family as a baby to Camp Creek in Springfield, Oregon where she lived most of her life.  She grew up working with her family, logging and farming their land and livestock, never far from her horse and border collie and pet goat.  She attended her first 8 years of school in a one room school house, where according to Lola Lane, her teacher, she was an all time favorite student and helper.
 
Melba graduated from Springfield HS, and was involved in the honor society, gymnastics, and pep squad.  During her teenage years she met the “love of her life”, Wilbur Metteer.  They along with several alumni friends from SHS still meet up for monthly luncheons. They married in 1949 and in the 67 years that followed were inseparable.  They raised their 4 children and also have been a huge part in the lives of their 12 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.  One of her doctors recently asked, if “Melba” was what she preferred to be called or if she had a nickname?  She answered with a smile... “Melba or Grammy”. 
 
She worked at a bank early on and after her children were in school,  as the bookkeeper and office manager for the original Taco Time franchise.  Later, she did bookkeeping for road construction businesses.  She laughed when someone said her personal check book was a “work of art”.
 
Melba was loving, kind, generous and patriotic.  She supported many causes throughout her life, including the church and grange, scouts, 4-H, school fundraisers, Lupus causes,  law enforcement, the Red Cross,  Dornbecker Childrens' Hospital, and the Lane County Mounted Sheriff’s Posse where Wilbur was a long time member.
 
Always a lady herself, she tried to see the good in everyone.  Each grandchild called themselves “the favorite” because that's how she made them feel.  She was there for every birth, wedding, death, and most things in between.  She was very proud of her family and for what each one did for a living or hobby.  She had many talents, but baking (especially pies and cinnamon rolls), quilting, crocheting, embroidering, and cross word puzzles, are among the things she's most famous for.  If you were clever enough to compliment her on her crocheted scarf, she took it off her neck and gave it to you, stranger or not. 
 
Melba  never once complained about the cancer and it's complications that took her life.  The rest of us did, but not her.  She was interested in the well-being of her family and friends her entire life, right up until the time of her passing in her home, with loved ones holding her hands. 
 
Melba was preceded in death by: her parents Evert Swearingen and Lela Morningstar Swearingen; her brothers Ruderick and Don Swearingen; and her granddaughter Melanie Metteer who died as an infant.
 
She is survived by:  her husband Wilbur Metteer;  their children- Lorraine Metteer Davidson; Terry Metteer, Corky Metteer; and Arthur Metteer.  Her grandchildren: Terry Jr.; Caleb; Russell; Benjamin; Jessica; Amanda; Samuel; Melissa; Joseph; Leanna; and Adam.
Her great grandchildren: Tyler; Isabel; Jillian; Alexander; Cristian; Lucas; Ivy; Amelia; Alexis; Bo; Jacob; Karizma; Josie; Greta; Calvin; and Violet.  Melba would also want to list the names of her “kid in laws” or “out laws” as she sometimes joked:  Randy; Suzanne; Nancy; Cheryl; Lizbeth; Elizabeth; Doug; Sal; Lisa; and Chasse.
 
A 2 p.m. memorial service for Melba will be held Saturday February 4th, 2017 at the Camp Creek Church Community Hall 37529 Upper Camp Creek Road in Springfield, Or 97478. 
 
Suggestions if you choose to make a contribution in lieu of flowers:
Willamette Valley Hospice 1015 3rd St. NW Salem, Or 97304
Dornbecker Childrens' Hospital Foundation 1121 SW Salmon St.  Portland, Or 97205