Doris Angeline Mellinger

Doris Angeline Mellinger passed into eternal life on February 17, 2024.  Doris was born to Ralph and Bonnie Culp on January 29, 1929, in Lafayette, Indiana.  Her love of the Lord, sense of humor, infectious laugh, welcoming lap, squishy hugs, beautiful singing voice and joyfulness will be missed by her greatest legacy, her 8 children, 40 grandchildren and 59 great grandchildren.

Doris was married to Kenneth M. Mellinger on November 24, 1948.  They lived in Oxford, Indiana until 1973, when they relocated to Zionsville, Indiana.  Doris was a homemaker who worked hard and spent countless hours serving her husband and children as cook, laundress, cleaner, gardener, seamstress, teacher, nurse, taxi driver, prayer warrior, scripture lover, comedian, piano player, occasional drill sergeant and parole officer.  Doris was the secretary for The First Baptist Church of Zionsville (later known as Cornerstone Baptist) for many years, where she also worshiped and sang in the choir.  In her later years, she enjoyed traveling to Myrtle Beach with her sisters-in-law, Marilyn and Carilyn and spending girl weekends at Suzy’s cottage quilting, eating and chatting.

Doris spent her final years at Traditions at North Willow in Indianapolis where she was blessed by the staff who loved her so well, including our sister, Libby.  Our family will be forever grateful for their loving care for our mom.  Her granddaughters, Eliza, Ava and Gabriella brought much joy and created special memories with Doris when they worked at Traditions especially during the Covid isolation.

She is survived by her children, Greg, Suzy, Brad, Alan, Roger, Sara, Jennie, and Libby. Also, all of her beloved in-law children, including Pat, Jerry Chapman, Janet, Cynthia, and Mike Einterz.  Her grandchildren, Julie, Sally, Janet (Mellinger); Zac, Luke, Abby, Lydia (Chapman); Jamie, Cassie, Jake (Mellinger), Allie, Hannah, Logan (Mellinger), Mackenzie, Michaela, Colby (Mellinger), Michael, Laura, Hannah, Leah, Rachael, Matthias, Gabriella (Einterz); Olivia, Isaac, Jesse, Ben, Eliza, Ava, Zane, Asa, Phoebe, Susannah, Georgia (Thomas), Louis, Devin, Jordan, Nathan (Valle); and 59 great grandchildren.

Doris was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth, her grandchildren Amy and Joseph, and great grandson Barrett.

A private family funeral service will be held at Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Care, 125 W. Sycamore St., Zionsville.  She will be laid to rest at Zionsville Cemetery immediately following the funeral service. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Team from Traditions at North Willow – The Traditions Trekkers.  https://act.alz.org/site/TR?team_id=854503&pg=team&fr_id=17611

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