Melba Western Jacobson, age 91, passed away on September 9, 2017 in Provo, Utah where she had been hospitalized for a recent fall. She was born February 11, 1926 in Deseret, Utah to Francis Marion and Myrtle Brunson Western. There, she grew while attending local schools until she graduated from Hinckley High School. She enjoyed associating with her dear Deseret friends and community. She climbed trees as well as any, and was watched closely by her brothers as she tended to get them in trouble. She learned and loved to dance as well as read. There was always an enjoyable book within her reach. Melba loved her hometown, and would tirelessly return there later from Delta near daily to care for her aging parents. Deseret remained precious in her mind and heart.
Believing she would never marry anyone from “Oak City,” she met the man from there who would become her closest friend and eternal companion. On May 31, 1950, she married James Fay Jacobson in the Manti LDS Temple for time and eternity. They raised their family in Delta. She expressed her eternal love for him daily after his passing twenty-one years ago, and we celebrate their great reunion.
She attended Brigham Young University with a major in Elementary Education, and a minor in music. She taught third grade in Hinckley. In 1967, with a newly built Delta High School, she became the school secretary and worked as such until her retirement in 1987. She is remembered by thousands of former students as “Mrs. J”, who with a profound love helped them along their high school paths and prepared them better for life. There is a shelf of high school yearbooks in her home with many of her memories.
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Melba sang beautifully and her voice filled many chapels and assembly halls throughout Utah during her life. She held a variety of church callings, but will be remembered best as a chorister, who led various choirs and congregations at tempo for over seventy years. Music filled her home and each child was taught how to sing. She had great faith, and in her later years spoke often of the grand plan by which she would return to her Father in Heaven and her loved ones.
Known for her spunk, Melba would often express her love and commitment to her friends with a quick jab. She took great reward in her marriage, children, and grandchildren. She was always an example of confidence and loyalty.
Melba is survived by her children: Marian (Gary) Bunker, Delta, UT; James (Janet) Jacobson, Leander, TX; Kevan (Tracy) Jacobson, Kanarraville, UT, Janet (Garry) Christensen, Delta, UT; Richard (Relda) Jacobson, Oak City, UT; 24 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren, and brother Wayne (Delores) Western, Salt Lake City, UT. She is preceded in death by her husband and her parents. Also preceded in death by her sister: Evelyn Robison, brothers: Grant Western and Harold Western, their spouses, and a great-granddaughter: Kyra Ann Weatherly.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 16, 11:00 am, at the Delta 3rd Ward LDS Chapel, 197 S 300 W. Viewings will be held on Friday, 6:00-8:00 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Interment in the Delta City Cemetery.