COLUMBUS
Ellen Melinda Engelking DeLap, 79, died peacefully and entered her eternal home on February 12, 2022.
Melinda was born at Bartholomew County Hospital in Columbus, Indiana on May 12, 1942, to Lowell Eugene Engelking and Marcella Brane Engelking. Her childhood memories growing up on her family’s property, Engelwood, were filled with joy. An excellent seamstress, Melinda received a Grand Champion 4-H ribbon in sewing at the Indiana State Fair. Her love for dogs of any breed began with Taffy, her beloved cocker spaniel. Melinda thoroughly enjoyed singing in the Columbus HS Debuteens, working at Becker’s root beer stand, and cheering on basketball and football teams in high school. She attended Sullins College and Franklin College – always grateful for her educational experiences and membership in the Delta Delta Delta sisterhood. She married Carl D. Prohaska in 1964 and they had three children – Melissa, John, and Ellen.
All of Melinda’s days were filled with service to others. She often said her three children were her greatest achievement. Consequently, Melinda focused on work to benefit the next generation. She loved to care for her garden, can vegetables, study the Shakers (furniture and beliefs), play bridge, and made the Christmas season magical for friends and family. In the 1970’s, she attended classes at IUPUI-Columbus to obtain her real estate broker’s license. For 22 years, she served as President of Engelking Patterns, Inc. In 1992, Melinda received recognition from the US National Chamber of Commerce with a Blue Chip Enterprise Award. In 1994, Melinda received an Alumni Award for Lifetime Achievement from Franklin College. In 1995, Melinda was the second woman awarded the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award for outstanding commitment to the business community. Her time, talent and treasure were also invested in many organizations: Tri Kappa, Columbus Rotary Club, Bartholomew County March of Dimes, Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, Bartholomew County Republican Party, Indiana Humanities Council, Franklin College Alumni Board, IUPUC, Centra Credit Union, Foundation for Youth, Bartholomew County Historical Society, United Way of Bartholomew County, Atterbury Bakalar Air Museum, and the Johnson County RC Flyers Club.
As a faithful Christian, she will be remembered for her encouraging, positive attitude and belief we should all be prepared, work hard, and put our lives in God’s hands. Even in retirement, she chose to serve as a caregiver for many elderly and physically challenged people in the Columbus area. Over her lifetime, Melinda’s ecumenical spiritual walk was encouraged by four local churches – First Presbyterian Church, North Christian Church, St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, and First Lutheran Church.
Melinda and Ken DeLap enjoyed five joyous years of loving marriage until his death in 2018. This gave Melinda the chance to enthusiastically embrace even more family members. Melinda’s final years were spent with excellent care at Four Seasons Retirement Center enjoying the company of new and life-long friends. Sincere thanks to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana for thoughtful care of Melinda and her family during this time of transition.
Melinda was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Lowell (Gene) E. Engelking II. She is survived by daughter, Melissa Fairbanks (John), son, John Prohaska (Charlotte), and Ellen Brunner and Bryan Brunner, all of Columbus, Indiana. She will be deeply missed by nine grandchildren: Kasi (Danny) Olson, Christian (Jessica) Fairbanks, Madi (Jared) Newkirk, AJ Prohaska, Spencer Fairbanks, Sami Prohaska, Will, Margo, and Marcella Brunner, and two nephews, Lowell (Gene) E Engelking III (Betsy) and Kurt E Engelking (Kelly).
A private service celebrating Melinda’s life will be held with burial immediately following at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Columbus Regional Health Foundation, Indiana University Purdue University-Columbus (IUPUC), Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department or Our Hospice of South Central Indiana. Final arrangements have been entrusted to Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.barkesweaverglick.com.
