Melba
Melba Rae Thurston Wickes
d. November 15, 2005
Melba Rae Thurston Wickes, age 91, of Savanna, Carroll County, Illinois, quietly passed away Tuesday morning, November 15, 2005, at home. Her passing followed several weeks of poor health due to her advanced age.
A private family memorial service will be held. There will be no visitation. Law-Jones Funeral Home of Savanna will be in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be at the Spring Lake Cemetery in Savanna.
Melba was born on July 26, 1914 and was the only surviving child of Cora Adelia McGlaughlin and Ray Bourne Thurston, who lost their son, George Gaylord, at age 5, and three daughters, Hazel Hope, Gladness and Bobby Ruth, in infancy.
Melba grew up in Texas where she attended college and obtained her teaching degree. She met William “Bill” Arthur Wickes during World War II, and after the war, on June 26, 1946, they were married.
Melba taught school for more than 40 years, spending most of that time “in the 1st grade. After she retired, she dedicated her time and energies to Genealogy and Family History. In addition to compiling more than 20 volumes with information about her family roots, she served as the Family History Librarian in Kalispell, Montana, where she helped others to search for their ancestors. She was an accomplished musician, providing many hours of enjoyment for family and friends. She moved to the home of her daughter in Savanna in 1995 with her husband Bill.
Melba is survived by her three daughters: ArlaJean (Oscar) Echegaray of Pendelton, OR; Cheryl Dawn (Walter) Burk of Savanna, IL.; and, Yolanda (Steven) Klingler of Mesa, AZ. She also has nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband and one grandson, William James “Jimmy” Hinchliff.
A private family memorial service will be held. There will be no visitation. Law-Jones Funeral Home of Savanna will be in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be at the Spring Lake Cemetery in Savanna.
Melba was born on July 26, 1914 and was the only surviving child of Cora Adelia McGlaughlin and Ray Bourne Thurston, who lost their son, George Gaylord, at age 5, and three daughters, Hazel Hope, Gladness and Bobby Ruth, in infancy.
Melba grew up in Texas where she attended college and obtained her teaching degree. She met William “Bill” Arthur Wickes during World War II, and after the war, on June 26, 1946, they were married.
Melba taught school for more than 40 years, spending most of that time “in the 1st grade. After she retired, she dedicated her time and energies to Genealogy and Family History. In addition to compiling more than 20 volumes with information about her family roots, she served as the Family History Librarian in Kalispell, Montana, where she helped others to search for their ancestors. She was an accomplished musician, providing many hours of enjoyment for family and friends. She moved to the home of her daughter in Savanna in 1995 with her husband Bill.
Melba is survived by her three daughters: ArlaJean (Oscar) Echegaray of Pendelton, OR; Cheryl Dawn (Walter) Burk of Savanna, IL.; and, Yolanda (Steven) Klingler of Mesa, AZ. She also has nine grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, husband and one grandson, William James “Jimmy” Hinchliff.
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