Wilma Jean Melone

Wilma Jean (Scott) Melone passed away April 26, 2024. She was born to Helen and Woodrow Scott on December 6,1938 in Smackover, Arkansas.  She had no brothers or sisters.

 Wilma married the love of her life, Kenneth Lee Melone, on December 6, 1954, which was her 16th birthday.  Ken was 19.  They lived in Downers Grove, Illinois for a number of years after their wedding there, eventually moving to Farmington, Missouri where they both lived out their lives.  Ken died in 2001.  Wilma pressed on without him for 23 more years!

 They were delighted to have 3 children:  Scott Henry, Gwendolyn Jean and Matthew Lyle and then 5 grandchildren:  Leslie Ann Melone, Bethany Lynn Melone, Jamey LaPaul Farmer, Toby Scott Farmer, and Adam Melone.  Her 4 precious great grandchildren are Bradley James Melone, Hailee Jeanne Melone, Baily Hahn and Maisy J Hahn.

 Wilma was predeceased by her parents, her husband Ken, and both sons Scott and Matt.  Left to mourn her passing are her daughter Gwen J. Lambert, daughter-in-law Candace Jean Melone (Scott’s wife), Grandson Toby and his wife Jessica I. Farmer, Ramona Porter, Adams’s mother, as well as the above named children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

 Wilma may have married young, but she dove into life with energy and enthusiasm.  She loved being married to Ken and she loved that marriage to him made her a part of a big, loving family. Life became busy, but she was a hard worker, and didn’t mind.  She had come to love the Lord, and was grateful for His goodness.  Some of her nieces and nephews remember Ken and Wilma babysitting for them.  They were more strict than their parents and had to stay at the table until all of the food on their plates was gone, but they also did fun things … like taking them swimming.   In addition to raising their own 3 children they fostered a number of others.  They later took in nephews for months at a time, getting them jobs and feeding and housing them.  Wilma became a great cook, and she enjoyed preparing special meals which she sometimes delivered to grateful people.  Ken & Wilma were active in their church at various times.  When they gave money to support a missionary cause, they didn’t want thanks.  In Wilma’s words, they were “giving to the Lord.”  After Ken died and Wilma had to work outside the home well past retirement age, she still made time to bring her mother into her home and care for her during the last years of her life.

 Wilma loved children.  She loved animals, too!   She raised quite a few generations of golden retrievers, always keeping some favorites as her own.  She framed and kept a picture of Rocket.  This was surely her most favorite hobby, and it helped her out financially.  She even taught friends how to run a dog business for themselves.

 Wilma was very creative.  She enjoyed all kinds of crafts.  She could collect insects and plants from nature, and make something extraordinary with them.  She loved showing children how they could do the same.  She loved making ceramic dishes and decorations, and then giving most of them away.

 It was so very sad for her to give up the home of many years to move into Community Manor in December of 2018.  The staff helped her adjust and let her help with decorating or doing little projects.  Dementia was beginning to take its toll, but she still had love and energy to give.  As Wilma needed more and more care, they were there for her.  They gently nursed her as she said good-bye to her life on earth on April 26, 2024 at age 85.  

 We celebrate Wilma Jean’s life and the grace God gave her.  We also rejoice that she is now perfectly whole and experiencing the joys of eternal life. 

 Visitation will be held at the C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Home – Taylor Chapel in Farmington on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 1:30 PM until the time of service at 2:30 PM with Chaplain Bob Crecelius officiating. Interment will follow at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Farmington.