Betty Jane Struhar Melanson, 85, taught vocal music in Avon schools

Betty Jane Struhar Melanson was known as Betty Jane Struhar, music teacher, choir director and wife of community leader Irwin R. Struhar, when she lived in Avon.

 She taught vocal music in the from 1960 until retiring in 1985, but directed such groups as the Avon Mothersingers and Avon Civic Chorus  before that.

Melanson, who died Feb. 4 at age 85, taught in the Lorain schools for a year before joining the Avon schools. At one time, she was an assistant professor of music at Milligan College near Johnson City, TN.

The Cleveland native, whose maiden name was Osterland, graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Music and earned a master of music degree from the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. She also studied at Baldwin-Wallace College, Western Reserve University and Ohio University.

Melanson sang professionally, giving concerts as a soloist and performing in various programs, oratorios and cantatas in Ohio and southern states. She also directed vocal music for several musicals.

 She belonged to the Ohio Music Education Association, Music Educators National Conference, National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Directors Association and Ohio Teachers Association.

 In the late 1950s and early 1960s, she served as president of Avon Kindergarten Mothers Club and the Avon Juliettes.

 Her first husband, Irwin R. Struhar, was a past president of Avon City Council. He also took on leadership roles with various civic boards and community service organizations. He died in 1985 at age 59, shortly after retiring to Lakeland, FL.

 The widow Struhar later married Raymond R. Melanson, a widower who also lived in Lakeland. He died in 1997.

 Melanson is survived by her daughter, Larryn Griffith of Avon; and a grandson.

Services were private with arrangements by .