Melba M. Gallen

Melba M. Gallen, 81, died August 27, 2012, in her Shillington residence.

She was the wife of Joseph J. Gallen, whom she married on September 13, 1952.

Born in Shoemakersville, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna (Geiger) Herbein. She was a graduate of Muhlenberg High School in 1948. Melba was a member of St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Shillington. She was an avid quilter, making over two hundred quilts. She was a long-time bridge player. Melba enjoyed being a volunteer at Mary's Shelter and meeting her girlfriends at the gym for her weekly exercise.

She and Joe spent extensive time traveling. A phenomenal cook, her focus was always on her family.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her eight children: Teresa (Randyl) Ernst, Mohnton, Michael (Donna) Gallen, Mohnton, Jack (Connie) Gallen, Shillington, Ann (Donald) Moll, Lincoln Park, Joseph (Susan) Gallen, Shillington, David (Lisa) Gallen, Shillington, Mark (Kelley) Gallen, Wyomissing and Chris (Jesse) Gallen, Shillington. There are two brothers, John (Marlene) Herbein, Emmaus and Richard (Joyce) Herbein, Laureldale, and a brother-in-law, Cletus Hamm, Maidencreek.

Twenty-four grandchildren: Christopher (Elizabeth) Ernst, Jason (Kelli) Ernst, Jill Gallen, Michelle Gallen, John Gallen, Michael Gallen, Sarah (Evoni) Gallen, Margaret Gallen, Daniel (Rachel) Gallen, Bryan Moll, MaryJo (Matthew) Freeborn, Samuel Moll, Colin Gallen, Max Gallen, Shane Gallen, Ben Gallen, Kara Gallen, Grant Gallen, Elizabeth Gallen, Monica Gallen, Nicole Gallen, Owen Gallen, Will Gallen and Rylie Gallen; and five great-grandchildren: Mary Ernst, Aiden Gallen, Autumn Ernst, Keira Ernst and Tyler Ernst also survive her.

She was predeceased by one sister, Virginia Hamm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10 a.m. in St. John's Church. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. Contributions may be made to: Precious Blood Convent, 1094 Welsh Road, Reading, PA 19607 or Mary's Shelter, 325 S. 12th Street, Reading, PA 19602. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.