Children Honor Mother, Teacher with HCCF Fund

The Corydon Democrat

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The children of Leora Melton remember and honor their mother by creating a scholarship fund at the Harrison County Community Foundation.

The Leora Elizabeth Eisenmenger Melton Memorial Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships to graduating seniors at Corydon Central High School who also attended first through sixth grade at New Middletown Elementary School.

Melton was born Dec. 7, 1916, the daughter of Henry and Louisa Weis Eisenmenger. She graduated from New Middletown High School in 1934 and went on to earn a bachelor's and a master's degree in elementary education from Indiana University. She taught at a one-room schoolhouse west of New Middletown for five years and then taught first grade at New Middletown Elementary School for 29 years.

She married Denzil Melton on Dec. 23, 1939.

"My grandmother loved learning and education her entire life," said Jennifer DePriest, Leora"s granddaughter. "She taught the first grade at New Middletown for 29 years and had a huge impact on many lives and the community. She took great pride in the school where she started the first school library, instilled the love of reading into her students, and volunteered during her retirement.  Her imprint continues to touch many former and current students, and she will always be remembered for her generosity, compassion and spirit."

Leora and Denzil's children are: Bill Melton of Hendersonville, Tenn., Carole Olsen of Greensboro, N.C., Karen Troutman and Joyce Spalding, both of Corydon, Denise Harmon of Depauw, Penny Fessel of New Middletown and Marilyn Wiggam of Columbus, Ohio.

Leora died Oct. 6, 2004, and is buried in the Salem United Church of Christ Cemetery in New Middletown.

A pink and white dogwood tree is planted next to a stone marker behind the New Middletown Elementary School to honor Leora.

The Harrison County Community Foundation provided a matching gift to create this scholarship fund, and any additional donation is eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $25,000.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation to the Leora Elizabeth Eisenmenger Melton Memorial Scholarship Fund may contact the HCCF staff at 738-6668 or mail donations to the Foundation, P.O. Box 279, Corydon, IN 47112. Checks should be made out to Harrison County Community Foundation with Melton Scholarship Fund in the memo line.