December 14, 1931 — November 18, 2024
A celebration of life for Marilyn Melka, 92, of Enid, will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at the Baptist Village Chapel, Enid, Oklahoma. Reverend Devon Krause and Reverend James Edmison will officiate. Burial will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Enid. Funeral arrangements are by Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Marilyn was born December 14, 1931, in Tulsa, to James and Imogene Hewlett and died November 18, 2024, in the company of her family. She attended school in Tulsa and in Stillwater where she graduated in 1949, and began college at Oklahoma A & M. There she met and married Don Melka of Medford in 1951. They spent their first years at the Melka Farm northwest of Medford in 1952 until 1983, when they moved to Medford.
After serving as a deputy in the Grant County Treasurer’s office for several years, she commuted to Northwest Oklahoma State University at Alva where she received her Bachelor’s degree in 1972, then a Master’s degree in education in 1973. She began teaching at Wakita Public School that fall and continued until retirement in 1994. She was a librarian, taught English, speech, and even organized the first academic team for her school.
Marilyn was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Medford where she was choir director, Sunday School teacher, and member of the United Methodist Women. She was a member of many organizations and associations including the Medford Public Library Board, Oklahoma Retired Educators Association, Chi Omega, and her local PEO chapter. She was honored with a Melvin Jones Fellow by the Enid District Lions.
In 2006, Marilyn and Don moved to Enid where they made their home at Golden Oaks, now Baptist Village. They were associate members of Enid’s First United Methodist Church. Marilyn was active in UMW, church council, and the TNT Sunday School class. At Golden Oaks she directed a weekly chorus and was part of the resident council for several years.
Surviving are her two granddaughters: Lauren Tollers, and husband Preston of Mustang, and Abbey Nightingale Killman, and husband Eric, of Oklahoma City; niece Sydney Mosburg, and husband Rus, of Grove; nephews Randy and Russ Lester; and daughter-in-law Michelle Nightingale, and her husband, Branden of Enid, as well as their children: Isaiah and Samantha Nightingale, whom she also thought of as her own grandchildren.
Preceding her in death were husband Don, daughter Terri, and her two sons, Ron and Darin; her mother Imogene Bussart, stepfather Ernest Bussart; her father James Hewlett; and her grandmother, Vivian Kelly, with whom she made her home during her teenage years.
Memorial contributions in Marilyn’s name may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Enid, with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.
Condolences may be made to the family online at www.LadusauEvans.com. Ladusau-Evans has been serving the families of the Enid Community and surrounding areas for over 40 years with compassionate service and dedication. They provide families with an open door policy. Feel free to contact them 24 hours a day. Visitation Hours: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm daily, 2800 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-1400.
