LEONE G. MELANDER

Mrs. Leone G. Melander, 89, of the Timber Point Health Care Center in Camp Point, formerly of Payson, died at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday (April 8, 2008) at Timber Point.

Born August 7, 1918 in Payson Township, Leone was the daughter of Otis and Florence A. Dunlap Groce. She was married to Harry O. Wright who preceded her in death in 1968. She married Willis Taplin Melander on April 3, 1971 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He preceded her in death on April 19, 2004.

Leone loved her family, especially her grandchildren, great grandchildren and extended family. She enjoyed traveling and playing cards.

Leone was employed in housekeeping at the Buehler Christian Home in Peoria for several years and then along with her husband, Leone owned and operated the Melander Escort Service in Peoria until their retirement when they moved to Payson.

Survivors include one son Richard Melander and his wife Diane of Racine, WI; two daughters Margie King and her husband Jim of Independence, MO. and Patricia Flohr and her husband Kim of Billings, MT; two daughters in law Carol Melander of Borden, IN and Carol Wright of Drexel, MO; thirty one grandchildren; thirty two great grandchildren; nine great great grandchildren; two sisters, Ruth Perry of LaBelle, MO and Ann Emmons of Quincy; several nieces and nephews including a special nephew and guardian, Robert Perry and his wife Norma of Payson, IL.

Mrs. Melander was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; two sons, Willis R. Melander and Gary F. Wright; two brothers, Alvin Groce and James Groce; and a sister, Alice Ruckles.

Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 11:00 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home in Payson by Pastor Andrew Heberlein. Burial will be in the Payson New Cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday morning from 9:00 until the time of services at the funeral home in Payson.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the Donor's Choice.