Funeral service for Harold Melder will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, October 14, 2011 at First Baptist Church of Natchitoches with Rev. Lee Dickson officiating. Interment will follow at Campground Cemetery in Calcasieu, LA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at Blanchard - St. Denis Funeral Home in Natchitoches, LA.

Harold Melder, 71 years of age, passed away October 8, 2011. Harold was born September 24, 1940 to the late Joe Melder and Effie Stokes Melder in Calcasieu, LA. Harold was a loving father and grandfather. He always wore a smile and would bring joy into whatever room he entered. He was very friendly, never met a stranger, and enjoyed spending time outdoors. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. Harold loved watching sports, but his heart-throb was football. He was very adventurous and loved to take spur of the moment trips. He was very patriotic. He served in the US Army for two years during the Vietnam Conflict, earning two Bronze Stars, the Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and numerous other awards and medals. He had a story for every occasion, he was a compassionate man, and was a wonderful role model to anyone who knew him. He passes away suddenly while watching his beloved L.S.U. Tigers on Saturday. He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends.

He was survived by one daughter, Melissa Melder Reese and husband Joey of Huntsville, AL; two sons, Jeremy Harold Melder and wife Natasha of Shreveport, LA and Christopher Joseph Melder of Natchitoches, LA; two grandchildren, Collier Joseph Reese and Ainsley Elizabeth Reese of Huntsville, AL; the mother of his children, Norma Melder of Natchitoches, LA; six siblings, Mittie Elise Funderburk of Austin, TX, Trent Osborn Melder and wife Ellis Marie of Natchitoches, LA, L.J. Melder, Sr. and wife Gay of Natchitoches, LA, Mary Elizabeth Murphey of Macon, GA, Joe C. Melder and wife Pauline of Calcasieu, LA, and Lynn Hebert of Albuquerque, NM; one sister-in-law, Cloteal Melder of Milledgeville, GA; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe E. Melder and Effie Stokes Melder; four siblings, Irma Melder, J.C. Melder, J.T. Melder, and Eddie Melder; three brother-in-law's, Wilmer Funderburk, Pat Murphey, and Flemming Hebert; two sister-in-law's, Dycie Melder and Ruby Melder.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Jeremy Melder, Joey Reese, L.J. Melder, Jr., Mark Melder, Michael Melder, Tommy Melder, Mitchell Melder and Van Melder.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Todd Defee, Jeremy Dunn, Collier Reese, Greg Hebert, James Melder, Reid Funderburk, Bill Melder, Joe Collin Melder, Tim Murphey, Tracy Murphey, Ken Bates, Rusty Melder, Dusty Melder, Roger Melder, Bruce Melder, Jeff Melder, Spencer Melder, Elam Stokes and Members of The Bobcat 5th Infantry Division & 1st Armored Division

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301, Attn: Gift Processing