Melva Pauline Carnahan

Young-Carnahan, Melva – Age 86, was taken by angels to be with our Lord Tuesday, March 17th, 2020 from her Kissimmee, FL home. She passed on with her youngest son David by her side. Melva was born in Garrett, Indiana on August 11, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Wellington Theodora Young & Maurine Kuhn-Young. Melva was their 1st born child, followed by brother Robert, brother Dr. Merle (predeceased July 2011) and sister, Janet Young-Curtis.

Melva grew up in Butler, Indiana attending Mount Pleasant Methodist Church with her extended family and friends. She graduated Butler High School’s Class of 1951. In late 1952, Melva met a dashing young US Marine, Ed Carnahan at the local Silver Moon Skating Rink. Ed had not too long ago returned to his hometown of St. Joe, IN, after his regular USMC service. The couple married September 27th, 1953. To support his new family, Ed worked in Freemont, IN in the Tool & Die Trade following his formal Technical Training. Melva & Ed (predeceased February 2002) where blessed and are survived by 3 children, their 1st son, Dennis born in Indiana July 1954, 2nd son David born in Indiana 1959 and daughter Angela born in Florida January 1961.

In August 1959, the family made the big move from Butler, Indiana to Kissimmee, Florida with Ed taking a new job with Martin Marietta/Lockheed Martin – Florida’s Division. All the while, with Melva being very outspoken with family and friends “she just wasn’t too sure about Ed moving them over 1000 miles away from home to work for this little ‘fly-by-night’ Company.” Ed retired from that ‘little’ Company 33-years later…

Also, not long after moving the family to Kissimmee, Ed & Melva bought 5 connecting lots and built their first & only home and founded a family business – ‘Machine & Optic’s, Inc.’ Over the years, Melva was devoted Housewife, loving Mom to 3 kids and Machine & Optic’s Office Manager, keeping the books up, ordering materials and paying the bills. Machine & Optics remains up and running to this day, with David taking it over after Ed’s passing in 2002.

In life, Melva enjoyed what Florida & the greater Kissimmee area offered both her and her family. In the early years, she stayed busy being a caring wife, raising 3 very active children and helping in the family business. With their children moving on in their adult lives, Melva & Ed started spending more quality time with their friends, staying active in Eastern Star, Elks Club, Shiners & several other things. Melva loved music and dancing, so that became a regular weekend thing for the couple and their friends for many, many years. One day Ed came home with their 1st RV and now the couple was off to get in some traveling; 1st to many Florida parks, next were trips to Indiana & up the East Coast. Then, after Ed’s retirement, it was long trips off to the West & Alaska, several times. After Ed passed suddenly, Melva settled into spending as much time as she could with her Indiana family, her children’s families & her friends. She could often be found with other family members visiting her daughter Angela & son-in-law Paul in Redington Beach, FL – where she loved watching the water, seeing dolphins and walking on the beach, even enjoying an occasional boat ride. She also took real pleasure in ‘setting her son-in-law Paul straight’ on various topics!

Faced with declining health these last 2 to 3 years: Melva stayed mostly up-beat & positive, she listened to music daily, watched favorite TV shows (Dancing with the Stars & Wheel of Fortune), talked when family and friends called & visited and enjoyed doing word puzzles & coloring books. The entire family was very committed to keeping Melva in her home, active as possible and providing all the care she needed for as long as possible. David lived on-site 24/7 at the family home & business, professional caregivers provided 8-hours per day 6-7 days a week of care, including 2-trips per week to 4-hour dialysis treatments and going to various Doctor’s appointments. Angela was able to stay with Melva 2 to 5 days per visit, every 3 to 6 weeks, coordinated all her health care and handled all the finances. Dennis, Victoria & their entire family supported Melva’s needs in-between Angie’s visits, helped cover several appointments, visited regularly and got Melva out of the house whenever possible. The remaining family was all there for Melva when they could be, too.

Melva & Ed are survived by 3 children, their spouses, 4 Grandchildren, their spouses/partners and 5 of 6 Great Grandchildren:
·Dennis / Victoria Wigal - Carnahan
oDaughter, Yvonne Carnahan - Garrett / Jamie Garrett
oSon, Austin / Allyn Williams - Carnahan with son Christian (predeceased @ 29-days young)
·David / Patty Bennet - Carnahan (ex-wife, deceased)
oSon, Eric / Lauren Mullins - Carnahan with their son’s Riley & Dex and Eric’s 1st born son Kody from mother, Jennifer Greggs
oSon, Branden / Rebecca Vaccaro - Carnahan with son Kaleb & daughter Kelsie
·Angela Carnahan – Van Vleck / Paul Van Vleck

The entire family wants to send a very special thank you to Melva’s primary caregiver’s over the last 3+years, Rachele Simon & Julianna Jules. They are both angels-on-earth and we can’t thank them enough for all they did everyday in the loving care they provided to Melva and the assistance they provided to our family. We are so Grateful & God Bless you both!

In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations may be made in her name to the Shriner's Hospital or Marine's Toys for Tots program.

The family is being cared for by: CONRAD & THOMPSON FUNERAL HOME, 511 Emmett St Kissimme, FL 34741.

Melva Young-Carnahan Obituary (written & published March 25, 2020 by Paul Van Vleck, son-in-law)

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