Melinda Lee (Hatton) Shepherd was born in Lafayette, Indiana on December 4th, 1941, three days before the Pearl Harbor attack to Frank and Kay (Fisher) Hatton.  Mom grew up in a loving, hardworking family at 513 E. Monroe Street in Attica.  She always smiled when fondly remembering all the great times she had with her big sister, Jan, and her little brother, Doug, who admitted later in life to endlessly tormenting his bigger sisters.  She loved swimming at the Harrison Hills Club, walking to school through the alley, and playing in the neighborhood with her many childhood friends and classmates.

After graduating from Attica High School, mom attended Wisconsin University and absolutely loved college life in Madison, perhaps a little too much.  She transferred to Ball State her sophomore year graduating with a degree in Education.  Mom taught for two years in the Indianapolis school system until a young farm kid from Attica decided to outkick his coverage.  After going on their first date when mom was only thirteen, Bob Shepherd knew that this was the lady for him (once she got to a more legal dating age)!

Melinda and Bob married on July 3rd, 1965 after dad got home from his Indiana National Guard training in Puerto Rico.  And, so began a lifelong love affair based on kindness, respect, and service to the people, the organizations, and the Attica community that meant so much to them.  After raising two rambunctious boys, mom went back to work as a State Farm Insurance agent.  She loved helping the homeowners, farmers, and citizens of Fountain and Warren County.  And mom was good at her job, winning multiple State Farm sales award trips – even if it meant that she and dad needed just one more life insurance policy to put her over the top.

But most of all, mom and dad loved their hometown – Attica, Indiana.  Mom loved to garden, tend flowers, and tell dad which flowers to plant and weeds to pull as she got older.  She loved her community organizations like the Monday Club women's group, her various bridge clubs, her musical trips to Indianapolis, and her active participation in the Fountain County Historic Landmarks organization.

When it came to Attica, mom was always ready to answer the call.  She served on the Board of the Attica Carnegie Library (one of Attica's special gems) helping oversee its renovation and expansion over twenty years ago.  She also served as President of the Attica School Corporation for over 15+ years when it raised funds to build an auditorium to support the Attica High School theatre program.  And she joined dad in donating over 15 sculptures placed around town to add to the charm of the town she loved.  For her dedication to her Indiana community, mom received the Distinguished Citizen Award from Indiana Governor, Eric Holcomb, in 2021.

When we think of mom, we remember a person who was happy, grateful, kind to friends and strangers, a talker, a hard worker, a difference maker, and a person who was loved.  In turn, she loved her caring husband; she loved her sons and grandkids; she loved her family and friends; and she loved the life she was given and that she and dad made for themselves.  We cannot ask for more than this.

Melinda leaves behind a loving family who are grateful for and proud of her life well lived: her loving husband of 59 years, Bob, who was at her side until her last breath.  Craig Shepherd of Temecula, California.  Brian (Sandra) Shepherd of Denver, Colorado, and seven grandchildren – Alex (Gardie) Ashforth, Ellen (Willy) Hurst, Mia (Matt) VanDyne, Sydney Shepherd, Rio Shepherd, Roman Shepherd, and Robert Indy Shepherd as well as six great grandchildren – William Hurst, Winnie Ashforth, Waverly Hurst, Andie Ashforth, Wrenly Hurst, Shep Ashforth, and three great grand pets -- Milly VanDyne, Hugo VanDyne, and Ryder Hurst.  She also leaves behind a dearly loved brother, Doug Hatton, of Greenwood, Indiana, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mom also loved a great party so we hope that any friend or family of mom and dad will join us for a Celebration of Life luncheon held at Harrisons Hills Country Club in Attica, Indiana at 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 24, 2024.  There will be a family only burial service Saturday morning before the celebration.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the:

Attica Carnegie Library Fund
Attica Community Foundation
PO Box 161
Attica, IN 47918-0161
(765) 793-0702
acf@wicf-inc.org