WOODSTOCK, VT

Julia Ann Meltvedt, 82, formerly of Michigan, passed away May 23 at Woodstock Terrace in Woodstock.

Julia's parents called her Judy.  She was born September 21, 1935 in Petoskey, Michigan to Richard and Harriet Malpass of East Jordan.  Judy attended Rockford College and Michigan State University and earned her Master's Degree at Western Michigan University.  She married William "Bill" Sheldon in East Jordan, Michigan on December 21, 1956, and they had three children:  Richard W. Sheldon, Jody S. Kaiser, and Lynn C. Sheldon.  Judy began her teaching career at Baker Sanctuary in Battle Creek, Michigan .  She taught elementary school until 1983, in schools in Mount Pleasant, Kalamazoo, Petoskey and Cheboygan, Michigan.   Judy and Bill loved nature and they camped with their young family on the shore of Lake Michigan many summers.  Avid naturalists, the young family traveled through the United States and Canada, camping, boating and birdwatching.  Judy and Bill were active in their church, leading and supporting children's ministries.  Bill passed away in May 1977.

After Bill's passing, Julia decided to learn to fly and received her private pilot license (including an instrument rating) and then her glider pilot license.  At that time, she was the only woman in Northern Michigan to have a glider license.

In August of 1982, Julia married Henry "Hank" Meltvedt.  They lived on a small farm in Levering, Michigan, where they raised goats and chickens.  Hank was also a pilot, and the couple enjoyed traveling to airshows.  They took long fishing and camping trips in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.  They were active members of their church, and when Julia retired from teaching the couple trained as missionaries and traveled in Ukraine, China and India.  They returned to the US and moved to Bradford, Vermont in 2002 to live near their daughter Lynn.  They eventually returned to Michigan and settled in Pickford.  Henry passed away in March 2016.

In 2005, Julia was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.  She moved back East in late 2012 to live with her daughter Jody in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, where her favorite pastimes were helping with homemaking, daily walks and rides along the Ashuelot River, painting, singing, and watching birds. Julia has lived at Woodstock Terrace in Woodstock, Vermont the past two years.

Julia was predeceased by her two husbands, two brothers Richard Malpass and John Malpass, and her stepdaughter Ruth Ann Meister.  She is survived by her sister Josephine Clark of Traverse City, Michigan , brother Robert Malpass of Barbeau, Michigan her son and daughters; her stepsons Gilbert Meltvedt of Benson, Arizona and Mark Booth of California; and many nephews, nieces, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

At her request, a memorial service will be held August 20, 2018, 11 AM, at the Church of the Straits in Mackinaw City, Michigan.  In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/ .

The Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, Vermont is assisting with the arrangements.  Condolences may be expressed to the family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com .