Melva Laverne (Eberle) Doane

It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of our dearest, Melva Laverne (Eberle)
Doane, who made her transition from this world to her eternal heavenly home on Friday,
January 10th, surrounded by loved ones.
Melva, 82, of Burna, KY, was born on November 17th, 1942 in Salem, KY to Merritt Ellis Eberle
and Lille Mae (Tabor) Eberle. The oldest of nine children, Melva stepped into a natural role as a
caregiver early on in her life, which helped her advance her career in nursing assistance at
Salem Nursing home until retirement.
Her greatest accomplishments in life, however, were her two sons, Michael Allen Orenduff and
Steven Wayne Orenduff. The love she had for them was immeasurable and unwavering. That
deep parental love extended to Michael’s wife, Renonda (Keeling)Orenduff, as well. To Melva,
Renonda was her daughter and to Renonda, Melva was Mom.
Pride and joy filled Melva once again when she became Mamaw and Meemaw to six
grandchildren; Brandi (Orenduff) Smith (Bobby), Hunter Orenduff (Natlé), Natalie (Orenduff)
Martin (Tristen), Kami Schnuck, Dustin Lewis, and Sebastian Orenduff, and nine great-
grandchildren, all who will forever miss her biscuits and her kisses.
Whether you were related by blood or not, Melva loved everyone she met, and everyone she
met loved her. This was apparent when she spoke about her church family and her pastor, Bro.
Gary Hardesty. As one of the longest standing members of the congregation, Melva was at
home when she entered the doors of Old Salem Baptist Church.
Although her loved ones are devastated in this great loss, we take comfort in knowing that her
sorrows have turned to joy and she is now at peace in the arms of her savior.
There is a great celebration in heaven happening as she is greeted by those that left before her.
Melva was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, two of her
sisters, a brother, her daughter-in-law, and her son, Steven Wayne.
Melva leaves behind an entire community that loved her, her son, Michael, all of her
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, three sisters, two brothers, a best friend, and Ms.Kitty,
her beloved feline companion.
John 11:25-26
“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”
Visitation will be held from 11am to 1pm and Service will be held at 1pm, Saturday, January
18th at Boyd Funeral home in Salem, KY. Processional and burial at Old Salem Baptist Church
cemetery immediately to follow.
The family would like to express sincere gratitude to Theresa Shell and Vanessa Bender for
everything they did for Melva in her final days and moments of life.
Donations can be made in Melva’s honor to: Old Salem Baptist Church, PO Box 239. Salem,
KY 42078-0239
Condolences may be left online at boydfuneraldirectors.com