Darlene M. Mellor, age 89, formerly of Platteville, died Thursday, September 20, 2012, at Upland Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dodgeville where she resided since June 2011. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 29, 2012, at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Platteville, with Father Jim Murphy officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery Platteville. Friends may call from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, September 28 at the Melby-Bendorf Funeral Home & Crematory in Platteville. There will be a rosary at 3:46 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Darlene was born on June 24, 1923, on the family farm in Irish Hallow, Highland, WI, the eldest child of Bernard and Pearl (McGuire) Fillbach. After graduating from Highland High School in 1941, she attended Madison Business College. Her first job was at the State Capitol Bureau of Personnel. Then she took a position in Platteville at the Institute of Technology (Mining School). She later transferred to the Platteville Teachers' College where she was a secretary in the Registrar's Office until her wedding in 1946. In 1968, Darlene took a position in the Business Office at University of Wisconsin-Platteville. From 1970 until her retirement in 1983 she worked as program assistant to the Dean of the College of Agriculture.

Darlene married Merlin J. Mellor on April 17, 1945, at St. Philip, Highland, WI. They began their married life on his family farm, later purchasing it in 1959. She served as a 4-H leader for many years. In 1980, they sold their farm and moved into Platteville. In 1986, they accepted the Century Farm Award for continuous ownership by the Wagner/Mellor family for over 125 years.

Darlene was a member of St Mary, Platteville, and the Southwest Vocation's Club. She served on the parish council, was president of the CCW, and a CRHP member and RCIA sponsor. She served on various committees and commissions for the Grant Deanery and also served on the Diocesan level. Darlene was also active in the community as a member of the Southwest Health Center Auxiliary and president of Church Women United. She played in two ladies' bridge clubs and with her husband, Merlin, enjoyed playing bridge and euchre, square dancing, and traveling.

Survivors include: her husband of 67 years, Merlin, of Dodgeville, WI; daughters Linda (Jerry) Thomas of Davenport, IA; Darla (Ray) Banfi of Platteville, WI, and Rhonda Mellor (Nicolas Griffon) of Bettendorf, IA; and daughter-in-law Frances (DeNooyer) Mellor of Kiasimmee, FL. She is further survived by 11 grandchildren: Nickole, Melissa, John Roger, and Christopher Mellor; Brenton (Suzanne) Thomas and Ryan Thomas (fiancee Liz Bobis); Jason and Katelyn Banfi; Dan Borcherding, Bill and Elizabeth (Borcherding) O'Connor, and Nick and Kirsten (Karkow) Borcherding; and 14 great-grandchildren: James, Ashley, Joseph Roger, Logan and Cheyanne Anderson; Savannah, McKayla, and Alexandria Kittle and Tyler Garcia; and Christopher, Aidan, Julianne, Mara, and Henry Thomas. She is also survived by brother Bernard (Vivi Lund) Fillback of Portland, OR; a special aunt and classmate Patricia (Fillbach) Anderson of Dodgeville, WE sisters-in-law Ilah Harvey, of Sun City West, AZ and Helen Mellor of Platteville, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by: her parents (Bernard Fillbach in 1968 and Pearl Fillbach in 1997); twin infant sons prior to their births; son John Roger Mellor on March 17, 1995; great-grandson Eli Thomas on March 29, 2004, and great-grandchildren Sam, Owen, Quinn, and Jack Thomas who died prior to their births; sister Janelle Manning and her husband, Jefferson Manning; brothers-in-law Donald Mellor, William Harvey, and Lyle Mellor and his wife, Margaret Mellor; nephew Donald Mellor, Jr.; great-nieces Joy Cullen and Jill (Cullen) Hoffman and their father, John Cullen.

The Melby-Bendorf Funeral Home & Crematory in Platteville is serving the family. Memorials may be made to the Darlene M. Mellor Memorial Fund. A detailed obituary can be found and online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Darlene Mellor

June 24, 1923 - September 20, 2012

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