Melva J. Essex, age 93, of Oquawka, Ill., died Thursday, May 2, 2024, in the Betty’s Garden wing of Courtyard Estates in Monmouth, Ill. Melva was born on Jan. 23, 1931, in rural Rozetta, Ill. and is the daughter of Joseph J. and Martha M. Collins McVey. Melva spent her early childhood in Rozetta. At the age of ten, the family moved to Oquawka, Ill. where she later graduated from G & O High School. Melva married Jimmie Lee Essex on March 11, 1950, in Gladstone, Ill. and he preceded her in death on Jan. 5, 1997.
Melva began work as an operator for the telephone company in Oquawka. She then was an assembler for fifteen years at Sylvania in
Burlington. Her favorite title, however, was being a Grandma and
babysitting her grandchildren in her home while they were growing up.
Melva loved to go to yard sales and flea markets. She loved cooking,
planting flowers, quilting, embroidering, and doing puzzles. She was a
member of the Oquawka United Methodist Church and loved going to lunch with her friends after church. Melva is survived by her daughter, Wanda Cook, of Oquawka, and son, David Essex (Dorothy), also of
Oquawka. She has six grandchildren, Pam Orwig (Jeff) of
Galesburg, Ill., Lisa Carroll of Monmouth, Ill., Paula Cook of
Oquawka, Illinois, Cynthia Cox (Chris) of Monmouth, Ill., Angie
Dunning (Bill) of Taylorsville, Ken., and Amanda Reynolds (Mike) of
Burlington. There are also numerous Great Grandchildren
surviving. She also leaves behind her lifelong friend, Bonnie Frank and
cousin, Maude Meyer. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband,
two sisters, and five brothers.
A funeral service for Melva Essex will take place on Wednesday, May 8,
2024, at 11 a.m. at Turnbull Funeral Home in Oquawka, Ill. A
visitation will occur at the funeral home from 10 to 11 a.m. prior
to her funeral service. A private family interment will follow at
Oquawka Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.
Memorials may be made to either "Betty's Garden" at Courtyard Estates in Monmouth, or to the Oquawka United Methodist Church.