Melba E. Grove (85) of Newton

Melba E. Grove, 85, of Newton, Illinois passed away at 2:10 am on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Newton Care Center.

Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm on Monday, February 22 at the Latona Christian Church, 9003 North 325th St, Wheeler, IL. Visitation will be from 11:00 am until the service time. Burial will be at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in Newton. Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup is assisting the family. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be expressed by clicking here.

Melba was born on November 17, 1930 in Newton, IL, the daughter of Carl and Nettie (Jaynes) Lewis. She married Robert Grove on September 10, 1949; he survives. Their children: Ronald Grove, deceased, Stephen (Diane) Grove of Golden Gate, FL, Linda Briggs, deceased, Cindy Reynolds of Newton, Becky (Fred, deceased) McCrary of Newton and Sara (Jeff) Tarr of Newton. Also surviving is brother Clarence “Buck” Lewis of Newton, ten grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren, five step great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Katie Collins and one great grandchild.

Melba was a homemaker but she also worked at Buds n Blossoms and several other flower shops. She also worked in quality control at U.T.A. in Newton. She was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church of Newton.