MELBA JUNE WILKIN

Melba June Wilkin, age 82, of Aurora, Missouri passed away at 7:10 a.m. on Sunday, November 17, 2024, after a brief stay at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She was born June 21, 1942, in Harper, Kansas; the daughter of Lee and Edith (Smart) Bennett. She was one of seven siblings who have always remained in close relationship, and she enjoyed her many trips to Kansas to visit her family.
Melba graduated from Milton High School in Milton, Kansas in 1960 and from York University in York, Nebraska. After completing her education, Melba moved to Malaysia for three years to do missionary work. After returning to the states, she worked at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita Kansas until moving to Missouri. She then worked at Heritage Harmony House in Aurora, retiring after 27 years, and then went on to work for the Aurora Police Department for five years. Finally, she volunteered weekly at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mount Vernon and will remain “active” even after her passing. Her handwritten cards and drawings themed for each holiday and event were always a highlight at the Veterans Home, and her most recent Thanksgiving and Christmas cards were already completed and will be delivered in her honor throughout the upcoming holidays.
On December 17, 1972, she married the love of her life, Rev. Bobby Lynn Wilkin, in Wichita, Kansas. Bobby loved to tell the story of her coming to Missouri to find him after he had been a guest preacher at a local service while she was visiting in Wichita. She never denied, and often grinned, at the emphasis he would put on her pursuit of meeting him in person. Their deep love was centered in their faith in God and was apparent to all who knew them. They shared over 51 years of marriage before Bobby preceded her in death earlier this year, on July 16, 2024.
As a long-standing member of both White Oak and Aurora Fundamental Methodist Church, she spent much time writing letters, cards, preparing the bulletin and delivering them to church members who were sick, homebound, in nursing homes, or those who might have missed services for various reasons. She often attached silly jokes and “one liners” in her cards, letters, and emails as she served her community with cheer. She enjoyed cooking and baking and was known for her delicious foods. She was always delivering meals and treats along with her cards and letters to family, friends, and neighbors.
Melba is survived by her daughter, Nita Hickman and her husband, Tim, of Verona, Missouri; her son, Ray Wilkin and his wife, Lisa, of Drexel, Missouri; four grandchildren: Kyle, Morgan, Devin and Ashtin; nine great-grandchildren: Konner, Raelynn, Adelynn, Redmond, Peyton, Gus, Wade, Liam and Ray; three sisters: Mary Berg of Kansas, Ruby Tobey of Kansas and Wynetta Weston of Texas; one brother, Lonnie Bennett of Kansas and several nieces and nephews.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, Lee, and Edith; her husband, Bobby; one sister, Betty “Aileen” Wright; and one brother, James “Dan” Bennett.
A funeral service under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora was held on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Aurora Fundamental Methodist Church. A burial followed at the Crane Community Cemetery in Crane, Missouri. Visitation was held on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made payable to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be shared at www.CraftonCantrellFuneralHome.com.