Melba M. Storm

Melba M. Storm

(October 4, 1927 – March 8, 2024 )

Melba Mae (Ruff) Storm , 96, of Strasburg, IL, formerly of Windsor, passed away 12:39 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024 at Heartland Senior Living, Neoga, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Strasburg, IL with Rev. Kene Whybrew officiating. Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Cochran’s Grove Cemetery, Windsor, IL. Arrangements are by Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Strasburg, IL. Memorials may be given to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Strasburg, IL or Activity Fund at Heartland Senior Living, Neoga, IL.

Melba was born on October 4, 1927 in Shelby County, the daughter of Louis and Ida (Rincker) Ruff. A lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, she was baptized on October 28, 1927 and confirmed on April 27, 1941. She graduated from St. Paul Parochial School June 13, 1941 and from Strasburg High School in 1945. Melba married Dallas Eugene Storm on April 20, 1947 with Rev. G. A. Lueck officiating. He preceded her in death on March 15, 1993. Melba treasured family time.  She enjoyed gardening, crocheting, playing Scrabble, and watching Illini basketball and the St. Louis Cardinals.

Surviving are children, Leonard  (Pam) Storm of Stuart, FL, Barbara (Kenneth) Sampson of Allenville, IL, and Leslie (Cheryl) Storm of Cleveland, SC; grandchildren, Stephanie (Thomas) Rentfro of Stewardson, IL, Justin (Angie) Sampson of Neoga, IL, Sarah (Robert) West of Stuart, FL, Lara (Collin) Hitchcock of Clifton Park, NY,  Kyle (Heather) Storm of Seneca, SC, and Keith (Kayla) Storm of Greer, SC; 12 great grandchildren, Taylor (Brayden Kieffer) Rentfro, Paig Rentfro, Chloe and Carsyn Storm, Allison Sampson, Jeb and Colt Storm, Noah West, and Abrah and Eva Hitchcock; one great great grandson, Braxton Dallas (Rentfro/Kieffer); two sisters-in-law, Maxine Ruff and Oma Ruff;  numerous family members and friends; granddaughters-in-love, Dakota (Shawn) Klein and Sadie Hubbard; and great great grandson-in-love, Todd Klein.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas Storm; parents, Louis and Ida (Rincker) Ruff; siblings, Leona Breitwisch, Sylvia Ulmer, Grace Kull, Maurice Ruff, Calvin Ruff, Celia Buesking, Mervin Ruff, Donald Ruff and Ruth Terhune; and granddaughter-in-law, Tracy Storm.

Special thanks to Judy Patridge (who cared for Mom lovingly and diligently for 10 years when in her home in Strasburg and Heartland Senior Living in Neoga).