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Melvene “Chuk-sah” (Matchie) Oliver

Melvene Lois (Matchie) Oliver, “Chuk-sah”, age 84, of Topeka, KS, passed away Sunday, October 3, 202 in Topeka. She was born March 2, 1937 in Horton, KS, the daughter of Matthew Matchie and Ida Bernice DuPuis.

She was a homemaker and licensed cosmetologist.
Melvene was a member of Drum Religion and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
She married Howard Kinton Oliver on March 7, 1959; they celebrated over 62 years of marriage.

Survivors include her loving and loyal husband, Howard Oliver of the home; 7 daughters, Leah Zakar (John) of Valdosta, GA, Audrey Oliver of Topeka, KS, Deb McLinn (Phil) of Topeka, KS, Tina White of Topeka, KS, Nancy Henry (Roger) of Mayetta, KS, Misti Burns (Chris) of Wylie, TX and Linda LaBranch of Parkville, MO; son, Patrick Oliver (Alison) of Topeka, KS; 3 sisters, Mary Belle Patterson, Linda Allen and Jane Slater all of Horton, KS; brother, Willie Odgen of Lawrence, KS; 17 grandchildren, Michelle Brown, Candace Zakar, John Zaker, III and Heather Zakar all of Georgia, Shauna, Amber and Stephanie LaBranch all of Mustang, OK, Bryan LaBranch of Camp Lejeune, New River, NC, Nick Davenport of Branson, MO, Kinton Smith of Topeka, KS, Jamie Baumgartner of Auburn, KS, Holly Johnson of Topeka, KS, Kayla Johnson of Topeka, KS, Michelle Manrose of Topeka, KS and Brianna and Taylor Stegman of Mayetta, KS; 24 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Melvene was preceded in death by her mother, Ida Bernice (DuPuis) Ogden; father, Matthew D. Matchie, son, Shaun Alvin LaBranch and grandson, Daniel LaBranch.

Drum Service will be Wednesday evening, October 6, 2021 at Danceground Building. Burial will be Thursday, October 7, 2021 at Danceground Cemetery. Family will greet friends 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.