Lavonne Evelyn Schmelter died Tuesday, July 12, 2016 at Aspirus Wausau Hospital at the age of 88.

Lavonne was born on May 30, 1928 in Seattle, Washington. She was the daughter of Ethel Minerva Guiles. On November 23, 1946 Lavonne married Dale Schmelter at Fort Lawton in Seattle, and they were married for nearly 70 years. They resided in the Mattoon area before moving to Antigo.

She worked as a nurse’s aide at the hospital, waitress and cook at the Dixie Lunch, and at Montgomery Ward in the catalog department. She enjoyed crocheting.
Lavonne was a member of Peace Lutheran Church.

Lavonne is survived by her daughter, Arlene Danielson of Fond du Lac; 3 sons, Dale (Sally) Schmelter, Jr. of Holland, Michigan, Gary (Maria) Schmelter of Austin, Texas, and Joseph Schmelter of Wausau; her sister, Marlene Barnes of Seattle; 4 grandchildren, Michael (Sheri) Danielson of Milwaukee, Peter (Molly) Danielson of Madison, Jason (Heather) Schmelter of Denver, Colorado, and Christopher Schmelter of Austin, Texas; 3 great-grandchildren, Adán Schmelter, Grace and Kate Danielson; her sister-in-law, Irene Zaitz of Wausau; and several nieces and nephews.

Lavonne was preceded in death by her mother and stepfather; 2 brothers, Ray Wiltfong and Dennis Wiltfong; her sister Beverly Smith; and her son-in-law Nate Danielson.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 P.M. on Wednesday at Peace Lutheran. Reverend David Karolus will be officiating the service. A visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. also at Peace Lutheran. Burial will take at Woodlawn Cemetery in Mattoon.