Name: Melvin Propst Date: July 3rd, 1916 - March 8th, 2010 Obituary: Melvin Propst, 93, of Conover, died Monday, March 8, 2010 at his residence. Born on July 3, 1916 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Carroll Milton Propst and Lizzie Killian Propst. He graduated from Startown High School with the Class of 1933, and on April 25, 1936 he married Pearl Poovey. During the years of World War II, 1942-1945, he was employed in Kingsport, TN and Oak Ridge, TN. In 1979 he retired from Duke Power Company after 27 years of service. Mr. Propst was a charter member of Faith Lutheran Church in Conover before transferring his membership to New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in 1995. He was active in the Senior Friends at his church, the Newton Senior Citizens Club and the Hickory Chapter of Duke Energy retirees. In 1988, he was elected as the first Retiree of the Year in the Hickory Chapter of Duke Energy. Upon retirement, he was involved for several years in volunteer work with the Catawba County Department of Human Resources, the Catawba County Council on Aging and the Conover Lions Club. He was one of the founding members of the Joymakers Chorus, a senior’s group sponsored by the Council on Aging. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Pearl Poovey Propst; his only sister, Geneva Propst Setzer; and brothers, Norman W. Propst, Paul K. Propst and Adrian S. Propst. He is survived by his daughters, Elaine P. Garner of Conover and Adelia P. Tucker and her husband, Winford of Mt. Holly, NC; son, Kenneth Propst of Conover; three grandchildren, Denisa Martin of Newton, Lydia Martin of Hickory and Debra Eckard and her husband, Ronnie of Claremont; three great-grandchildren, Tristyn Caldwell and her husband, Patrick of Newton, and Deanna Eckard and Randi Eckard, both of Claremont; one great-great grandson, William Caldwell of Newton; and several nieces and nephews. A Service of Remembrance will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, March 11, 2010 at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church with the Reverend Randall Cauble officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory. Mr. Propst will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service at the church. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, March 10, 2010 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Drum Funeral Home in Conover. Pallbearers honoring Mr. Propst are delegated retirees of Duke Energy. Honorary Pallbearers are members of the Senior Friends of New Jerusalem Lutheran Church and retirees of Duke Energy. Memorials may be made to New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2120 Startown Rd., Hickory, NC 28602. The Propst family would like to thank the following people for the outstanding care given to Mr. Propst: Dr. David Hardaway and staff at Viewmont Urology Clinic; Dr. Kevin Ridenhour and staff; Dr. James Gaither and staff; nurses, Jean Rowe and Sarah Potter; his social worker, Lorissa; and the Crisis Care Staff of Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley. The Propst family has entrusted local funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC. Memorials: New Jerusalem Lutheran Church, 2120 Startown Rd., Hickory, NC 28602 Visitations: 6:00PM to 7:30PM on Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at Drum Funeral Home - Conover (map/driving directions) Services: 11:00AM at New Jerusalem Lutheran Church on Thursday, March 11th, 2010 (map/driving directions) Cemetery: Catawba Memorial Park 3060 Hyy 70 SE Hickory, NC 28602 (map/driving directions)