Melba Ann Wilmarth

Melba Ann Wilmarth, 76, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri died Sunday, October 19, 2025 at her home. She was born May 19, 1949 to Dalvin and Viola Clements Yamnitz in Perryville, Missouri, the oldest of 14 children. She met the love of her life, George Wilmarth at the university Newman Center in 1967 and they were married, November 30, 1968 in Perryville, Missouri. She and George adventured around the world while he was active duty in the Navy before settling down in Cape. She was active in the community, with girl scouts, meals on wheels and the PTA, to name a few. She was very proud to be able to return to the pursuit of her degree while raising her four children and working at the university. She graduated from SEMO in 1989. She was quite happy to share the fact that she was the first person in the family to have a cell phone because she needed it while working for the census bureau. She and George started Wilmarth Painting that they operated together for over 25 years, she then continued it with her daughter Carissa (the good child). Melba enjoyed her family most of all, she believed that time and experiences together were the most important things and would often advise to not worry about the mess and instead enjoy your children while they are little. She was exceptionally talented at sewing, crafting, channeling her creativity into home projects and hand and foot. In her free time she loved gardening, reading, and garage sales. To her everyone was family and if she fed you, she loved you. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. Survivors include five children, Laura James of Marion, Joel (Debbie) Wilmarth of St. Louis, Carissa Wilmarth of Cape Girardeau, Jessica (Sarah Benning) Wilmarth of St. Louis and Tabitha Mathews of Cape Girardeau; grandchildren, Abbie, Reece, Halie, Noah, Jonah, Jacob, Meghan, Brendan, Corrin, Matthew, Aiden, Kaitlyn and Justin; great-grandchild, Charlie; adopted family, Heather (Will) Phillips of Cape Girardeau, Kaden, Elynn and Ayla; ten siblings; June (Dave) Ernst, Bill (Lynn) Yamnitz, Linda (Brad) Riney, Elizabeth (Rick) Taylor, Jim (Cindy) Yamnitz, Carolyn (Leon) Spencer, Ed (Jennifer) Yamnitz, Donna (Alan) Ford, Kim (Neal) Kaempfe, Lisa Shedd and her sister-in-law Marilyn Yamnitz. She was preceded in death by George her loving husband of forty-eight years, parents, three siblings, Marilyn Yamnitz, Susan Yamnitz and Bob Yamnitz, niece Kristen Yamnitz, great-nephew Xavier Basler and her favorite aunt Iola (her Chucky-Ducky) Littleton. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel. Funeral mass will be at 10:00 am, Saturday, October 25, 2025 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with the Father John Braun officiating. Burial will be at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the family. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.

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Melba Ann Wilmarth

May 19, 1949 - October 19, 2025