Remembering Harley Melton: Locals have fond memories of former Owen County Sheriff
Sweet Owen County became a little less sweet early last week. The community recently lost one of its sweetest souls when longtime resident Harley Melton passed away at the age of 87.
Melton was born in Marion, Indiana and according to his obituary, proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Germany and Japan.
A public figure with the heart of a true servant, Melton was the Sheriff of Owen County Sheriff for 16 years and Owen County Clerk for eight years. Along the way, Melton touched a number of lives and befriended those all around him.
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"I had the high honor of serving with this man as a fellow Owen County elected official," Owen County Councilman Anton Neff said. "He was a workaholic... when he was Clerk he’d start his day real early (which worked well with my work schedule) and, no doubt, I could call the office at 6:30 a.m. and after one ring, I’d hear his voice, “Clerk’s Office!”
From an early age, Melton had quite the impact on a young and up-and-coming local politician in Neff.
"One morning, about 18 years ago, I walk out of the north door of the Owen County Courthouse and see my friend Sheriff Harley Melton stopped in the middle of the parking lot. He seemed agitated—not happy about something," Neff remembered. "He caught my eye and with a very stern look, he points at me, and then curls his finger calling me over to his vehicle. I ask him what’s going on. He shook his head, pointed at this old pickup truck, and said some yayhoo is parked in my @^ parking spot. I first cleared my own hide by declaring it wasn’t mine! He asked if I knew whose it was. He reaches for his radio and summons dispatch. He gives the dispatcher the license plate number and describes it as an older model Ford pickup, white with blue stripes (if I recall correctly). After a brief wait, the dispatcher then tells Harley to switch over to a secure channel—Harley gives me a most interesting look. The dispatcher then stated that the pickup truck in his parking space belonged to… Judge Frank Nardi! And, as if timed perfectly, Judge Nardi is running out the courthouse door waving his hands saying sorry, sorry I’m in your spot—I just had to run in to get some stuff before heading out of town for a hearing. As for me, I could not believe how this all unfolded—trying my hardest to keep a straight face. Harley just drops his radio into his seat and gives the biggest eye roll. The good news is that the Judge escaped arrest, Harley got his parking space back, and I have one of many special memories of an incredible man that I have held in high regard, and will most definitely miss."
A friendly face with a keen sense of humor and playful banter, Melton was also a mentor... someone there to help when needed.
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"Harley was like a dad to me," former Owen County Clerk Linda Roy explained. "In 1994 I was working at Hardee’s in Spencer and he came through my window every morning. One day I said 'get me out of here' and he said 'come see me in the Clerks office' and the rest is history."
Roy shared a special bond with Melton and did numerous former coworkers and friends.
"He was always there if I needed to talk," Roy said. "Him and Janice were there for a lot of people. I worked with him that year and again in eight years when he was clerk again. I will always remember him for the kind person he was and for all he taught me."
Although he is no longer with us to flash that playful grin or that twinkle in his eye, his spirit lives on in his family, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Our deepest condolences to the Melton family. Our hearts are a little heavier, as we miss one of Owen County's own.
This article originally appeared on Evening World: Remembering Harley Melton: Locals share memories of former county sheriff
