E. Melvene Juergens

E. Melvene Juergens, 97, of Springfield, Ohio passed away on 11/13/2017. The daughter of Clifford and Bessie (Reinhart) Schumacher, she was born and raised on a dairy farm near Newcomerstown, OH. She often mentioned sweet memories from her childhood, one of her favorites being how she enjoyed the large family Christmas gatherings at her Grandma's home. After graduating from high school, she earned both a Bachelor degree, majoring in piano and education, and Master of Education degree from Wittenberg University. During college summers, she worked on the WWII Norden bombsight motors, built by the Robbins and Myers Company. Her teaching career included New Carlisle and Springfield Schools, where she taught Music, English and Home Economics at Rockway and Schaeffer Jr. High schools, and was a guidance counselor at Benjamin Franklin Middle School. She enjoyed working with young people. She was an accomplished pianist and served as organist at Rockway Lutheran Church. She was also a member of the Young Women's Mission, and volunteered as a counselor with the Nehemiah Foundation Jobs & More program. In addition, she taught piano, gardened, refinished furniture, and enjoyed many sewing projects. She loved to travel, especially camping in the Rocky Mtns. Among her other travels were visits to Europe, Egypt, and Asia, and she was delighted at age 87, to stand on the Great Wall of China. She was married for 50 years to her beloved husband, Edwin Juergens, co-founder and Concertmaster of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra from 1944-53. A generous, positive and enthusiastic person, she made it a point to make everyday a good day. She is survived by her daughter, Lynne Bird (Raymond) of Durham, NC, son, Allen, of Dayton, OH, step-daughter Barbara Lotz of Springfield; grandchildren William Bird, and Frederick Bird, and step-grandchildren Anne Deards, Chris Lotz, Mark Lotz, and Beth Pachman. Also surviving is her sister, Helen Arth of Redlands, CA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin, her parents, and her sister Mary Elizabeth McCune. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 1st from 3-5 PM at the Richards, Raff and Dunbar Memorial Home. Funeral services will be held in the Memorial Home, on Saturday, December 2nd at 10:30 AM with Pastor William Schwochow, with interment to follow at Ferncliff Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rockway Lutheran Church, 3517 W. National Rd., Springfield, OH 45504, or the Springfield Symphony Orchestra at 300 S. Fountain Ave., Springfield OH 45506, or the Salvation Army. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.