Billings Gazette Billings, MT 8 Feb 2007 Melva Geraldine Schleining, 81, died on Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, from cancer, at her residence located in Billings. Melva was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on Nov. 5, 1925, to Hazel and Varley Stall. Varley and Hazel brought their family to Montana in the fall of 1938, where they lived and grew up near Pompey's Pillar. Melva's father died on Jan. 15, 1935. Melva was married to James Schleining, Sr., in January of 1947, and they resided in Harlowton, Lockwood and Billings. Melva devoted herself to raising four children. She spent many years working with her husband "Jim" in the family electric motor shop business (Jim's Electric) as a bookkeeper until 1994. Melva was active in the Nazarene Church as a Sunday School teacher and layperson. She also enjoyed reading, crocheting and playing the piano. Melva also spent many years providing in-home care for her beloved husband "Jim" until he passed in August of 2005. She is also preceded in death by her mother, Hazel; father Varley; son Robert Schleining; and brothers Hubert and Orason Stall. Survivors include Jim Schleining Jr. and wife Anne of Jacksonville, N.C.; daughter Brenda Comfort and her husband Dave of Billings; and daughter Pam Wallenberg and husband Randy of Edmond, Okla. Melva has a sister and brother, Eleanor Griffith and her husband Tom of Billings and Gene Stall and his wife Betty of Oklahoma City. She has six grandchildren, Tucker Schleining and wife Natalie of Tucson, Ariz., Trevor Schleining of Phoenix, Tara Comfort Culp and husband Greg of Billings, Tim Comfort of Billings, Cari and Heather Wallenberg of Edmond. She also has two great-granddaughters, Hailey and Hannah Schleining of Tucson. Melva had many aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins and nephews, all of whom she dearly loved. Melva's family acknowledges and greatly appreciates the loving support from many members of the Billings Hospice and request that donations in lieu of flowers be sent to Big Sky Hospice at PO Box 35033, Billings, MT 59107. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, at Smith's West Chapel, 304 34th St. West. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at the First Church of the Nazarene, 805 Alderson Ave., Billings. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens, where she will rest in peace alongside her husband. Published in the Billings Gazette on 2/8/2007.