Helen Marie (Moucha) Melville
Helen Marie (Moucha) Melville, 87, Jim Falls, passed away, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, at Marshfield Medical Center in Eau Claire.
Helen was born Nov. 1, 1938, in Chippewa County, to Elizabeth (Seaman) and Edward Moucha. Neighbor “Grandma Goettl” (Anna Goettl) helped deliver her on the Moucha home farm, in Drywood.
She grew up on the home farm in Drywood, attended the Little Drywood School until the eighth grade and graduated from Cadott High School in 1956.
In the summers, throughout high school, she worked as a nanny, in Chicago, Ill.
Helen married Earl Melville, Nov. 10, 1956, at the Methodist church in Jim Falls. During their marriage, they resided in Chippewa Falls, except in 1961, when they lived in Washington, D.C., because of Earl’s deployment for the Berlin Crisis.
Before Earl passed in 2011, they enjoyed 57 years together hosting parties, card games, camp-outs and traveling throughout the U.S., to Mexico and to Europe.
They loved to raise chickens and have a big garden, that would fill the root cellar with canned goods.
Helen helped Earl with the Chippewa Brass Foundry, the family business, working as the secretary/treasurer, organizing company parties, working in the core room and making plaques for local landmarks.
Later in life, Helen enjoyed 15 years, with her companion, Edward “Ed” Bobb. Together, they raised chickens, attended polka festivals, gardened, made maple syrup, took casino trips and hosted family get-togethers. She truly enjoyed the time she shared with Ed.
Helen was the secretary for Chippewa Brass; past secretary of the Eagle’s Snowmobiling Club; past leader for her children’s Cub Scout and Girl Scout groups; and a member of the ZCBJ Lodge Bohemian Hall in Cadott.
She will be remembered as a social butterfly and was able to strike up a conversation with anyone. She enjoyed cooking and sharing foods of her Bohemian heritage.
Helen loved to gamble and with a twinkle in her eye, would say, “I’m running away,” when headed to the casino. She took great pleasure competing in local card tournaments. She loved thrift sales and auctions. Her famous saying was, “Never pay full price for anything!”
She is survived by her companion – Ed Bobb, Jim Falls; a daughter – Lori Melville, Eau Claire; three sons – Robert, Eau Claire, Joseph (Carolyn), Boyd, and James (Nicole), Chippewa Falls; six grandchildren – Brittany, Brooke (Jake) Latcham, Bryan, Alex, Quintin and Hannah; four great-grandchildren – Earlando, Amiyah, D’Marion and Amora; Ed Bobb’s children – Jim (Shannon) Bobb, Judy Maier, Janice (Todd) Ehman, Jeneil (John) Cunningham, and Jason (Lauren) Bobb; sisters-in-law – Marlene Moucha, Sharon Moucha and Jean Moucha, all of Cadott; brother-in-law – Alvin (Kathy) Melville, Chippewa Falls; many nieces and nephews; great-nieces and nephews; great-great-nieces and nephews; and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband – Earl; parents – Elizabeth and Edward; sisters – Loretta (died in infancy) and Shirley Moucha; brothers – Marvin, Gene, Art, Kenny and Bob; in-laws – Jane Moucha, Lois Moucha, Marian and Ray Schultz, Ronald and Arlene Melville, and Dave Moucha; ex brothers-in-law – George Sima and Robert Kandler; nieces and nephews – June (Sima) Wajek, Tula Moucha, Edward Moucha, and Terrence and Burma Kandler.
May all of your euchre hands be “5” hands and all of your polka dances be long.
Services are at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 14, at Jim Falls United Methodist Church, with Pastor Greg Sima officiating. Friends and family may call from 9:30 a.m., until the time of the service, Saturday, at the church.
After the service, a luncheon will follow, at the Anson Town Hall, in Jim Falls. Please join us in celebrating Helen and bring your favorite stories, for a time of sharing.
