Jan Queen
on 05/30/2020 at 1:25 pm
My heart goes out to Melba’s family…what a wonderful friend…none sweeter than Melba.
ReplyMelba Arlene Bradshaw
BRADSHAW
Melba Arlene (nee Gardiner) Bradshaw, 83, of Walsh, IL, born on May 26, 1937 in Houston, IL, passed away on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at Cedarhurst Assisted Living in Sparta, IL.
Melba was a retired rural letter carrier for the U.S. Post Office in Red Bud, IL. She also worked as a substitute rural letter carrier in Sparta, IL and as a secretary for the Local Union 210-B of Spartan Printing (World Color Press)in Sparta, IL. Because of her love of giving to others, she also worked as an employee and as a volunteer for the tri-county area of social services for the elderly and handicapped.
Melba was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Walsh, IL; a member of the Zion Lutheran church choir; and a member, past president and secretary of the Zion Lutheran Church Ladies Aid. She was an avid hunter and fisherman and very active in the Plum Creek Sportsman’s Club. Melba also loved music of all kinds and had a lovely alto voice. She and her sisters often sang hymns for the local radio station. Melba had a passion for her family and friends that will not be forgotten.
She was preceded in death by her parents Otis and Elsie (nee Glenn) Gardiner; two sisters – Fern R. Smith and Anna Mae Wittenborn; one brother, William O. Gardiner; and four grandchildren – Elisabeth S. Bradshaw, John T. Bradshaw, Amanda E. Bradshaw, and Nicholas A. Bradshaw.
Melba is survived by her husband – Rayford A. Bradshaw of Cedarhurst Assisted Living, Sparta, IL, whom she married June 8,1955 on a riverbank in Smith County, MS; five children – Theresa (Carl) Forbis of New Braunfels, TX; Stephen (Susan) Bradshaw of Sparta, IL; Brian (Laura) Bradshaw of Walsh, IL; William (Chris) Bradshaw of Port Byron, IL; and Wayne (Kellie) Bradshaw of Red Bud, IL; 32 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 S. Illinois Street, Belleville, IL 62220-2159. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.heilschuessler.com.
Funeral: Due to restrictions that are in place during the COVID-19 outbreak, a private service will be held for the family.
Interment: Burial will be at Fairview Baptist Church cemetery, Sparta, IL.
Heil-Schuessler & Sinn Funeral Home in Sparta, IL is in charge of arrangements.
28 Comments
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Theresa Forbis on 05/31/2020 at 1:59 pm
Thank you!
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Denise Ebers on 05/31/2020 at 6:09 pm
Our prayers and sympathy to Ray and her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family and friends. I have known Melba since I worked with her at Head Start many years ago and through Zion Church. She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed.
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Theresa Forbis on 06/01/2020 at 1:15 pm
Thank you!
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Susan Bradshaw on 06/03/2020 at 1:56 pm
Thanks Susan. I remember inviting you to Melbas many times. We always had a great time!!
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Gina Cushman on 05/31/2020 at 8:41 am
Steve, you have my deepest sympathies to your family.
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Theresa Forbis on 05/31/2020 at 1:58 pm
Thank you!
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Linda Boston on 05/31/2020 at 10:47 am
To the family of Melba Bradshaw: Melba was a loving, kind, and caring friend. I had the honor of knowing Melba for many years. Working as our Secretary for Local 210 B Spartan Printing Union. She was our Sunlight when days were gloomy. She loved us all!! She will be terribly missed by all who knew and Loved her. God Bless you Melba. 💜💙💖
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Sincerely,
Linda Boston
Quincy, IL-
Theresa Forbis on 05/31/2020 at 1:58 pm
Thank you!
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Dale and Susan Worthington on 05/31/2020 at 6:02 pm
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. We remember 4th of July’s out at their place. Melba was always a cheerful woman and a blessing to be around. Those were fun times…may the Lord give you all peace and uplift you during this most uncertain of times. God Bless.
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Theresa Forbis on 06/01/2020 at 1:19 pm
Thank you!
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Kellie Bradshaw on 06/03/2020 at 9:40 am
Thank you Susan, Fourth of July was one of her favorite times of the year, She loved having big parties . We sure did make a lot of great memories.
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Susan Bradshaw on 06/03/2020 at 2:23 pm
Susan Bradshaw says:
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06/03/2020 at 1:56 pm
Thanks Susan. I remember inviting you to Melbas many times. We always had a great time!!
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Pete and Melinda Harrington on 05/31/2020 at 11:50 am
Melba was sunshine for the soul and we loved her. We made a few trips to see her and Ray and even made it to the assisted living home they were in in Sparta. We send our love and many hugs to Ray and are thinking of all of this larger than life family. She was one of a kind and will most definitely be missed. Please give Ray our best wishes and hope for a better day.
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Theresa Forbis on 06/01/2020 at 1:18 pm
Thank you!
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Pete and Melinda Harrington on 05/31/2020 at 11:51 am
Melba was sunshine for the soul and we loved her. We made a few trips to see her and Ray and even made it to the assisted living home they were in in Sparta. We send our love and many hugs to Ray and are thinking of all of this larger than life family. She was one of a kind and will most definitely be missed. Please give Ray our best wishes and hope for a better day. Pete and Melinda Harrington
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Theresa Forbis on 05/31/2020 at 1:57 pm
Thank you!
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Cathie Raney on 06/03/2020 at 1:12 pm
My deep sympathy to mr. Bradshaw and children. God bless you with His perfect peace and calm. Praying for you as you go through this terrific loss. She was such a good friend and inspiration to my brother at Cedarhurst. I know she was a blessing to so many.
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Franz & Fran Karnuth on 05/31/2020 at 2:05 pm
Hi Bradshaws! The 3 friends, Melba, Marie Johnson, and my Mom enjoyed the richest of conversations. I am so thankful for Melba’s friendship with my mom and my family over the years. Many years ago Melba taught me about walking barefoot, planting potatos, and making home-made gravy which I still can’t do even though I do everything she told me to do. She always served the best hot chocolate after a hayride, too. My wife and I are so thankful for the memories and friendship Melba gave us. Our hearts go out to the entire Bradshaw clan, knowing MawMaw will be greatly missed.
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Ann Albers. on 05/31/2020 at 5:05 pm
My sympathy to the whole family. Melba was a wonderful, kind, generous lady who I knew for many years through Central school and Zion Lutheran Church. She was such a happy, cheerful person to all, and my kids grew up appreciating her kindness and sense of humor.
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She was so proud of her family and shared news of them frequently. I will always remember singing “Joy to the World” for her birthday, and any other time she was asked about her favorite song. Love you, Melba.-
Theresa Forbis on 06/01/2020 at 1:11 pm
Thank you!
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Darin Jones on 06/01/2020 at 6:22 am
Wayne,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
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Mary meyer on 06/01/2020 at 10:06 pm
My sincere condolences to the immediate family. What a wonderful lady Melba was! She brought happiness to my Mother, in the later years of her life, by sending cards every week. Mom would light up when she received a card from Melba. Aunt Elsie and Mom were very close, so I’m sure the cards brought happy memories. With sadness, Mary Meyer, cousin.
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Theresa Forbis on 06/02/2020 at 6:45 pm
Thank you!
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My sincere condolences to the immediate family. What a wonderful lady Melba was! She brought happiness to my Mother, in the later years of her life, by sending cards every week. Mom would light up when she received a card from Melba. Aunt Elsie and Mom were very close, so I’m sure the cards brought happy memories. With sadness, Mary Meyer, cousin.
Thank you!
Wayne,
My deepest condolences to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, wishing you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Thank you!
Thank you!
My sympathy to the whole family. Melba was a wonderful, kind, generous lady who I knew for many years through Central school and Zion Lutheran Church. She was such a happy, cheerful person to all, and my kids grew up appreciating her kindness and sense of humor.
She was so proud of her family and shared news of them frequently. I will always remember singing “Joy to the World” for her birthday, and any other time she was asked about her favorite song. Love you, Melba.
Thank you!
Hi Bradshaws! The 3 friends, Melba, Marie Johnson, and my Mom enjoyed the richest of conversations. I am so thankful for Melba’s friendship with my mom and my family over the years. Many years ago Melba taught me about walking barefoot, planting potatos, and making home-made gravy which I still can’t do even though I do everything she told me to do. She always served the best hot chocolate after a hayride, too. My wife and I are so thankful for the memories and friendship Melba gave us. Our hearts go out to the entire Bradshaw clan, knowing MawMaw will be greatly missed.
Thank you for sharing those memories. They mean a lot.
Thank you!
Melba was sunshine for the soul and we loved her. We made a few trips to see her and Ray and even made it to the assisted living home they were in in Sparta. We send our love and many hugs to Ray and are thinking of all of this larger than life family. She was one of a kind and will most definitely be missed. Please give Ray our best wishes and hope for a better day. Pete and Melinda Harrington
My deep sympathy to mr. Bradshaw and children. God bless you with His perfect peace and calm. Praying for you as you go through this terrific loss. She was such a good friend and inspiration to my brother at Cedarhurst. I know she was a blessing to so many.
Thank you!
Melba was sunshine for the soul and we loved her. We made a few trips to see her and Ray and even made it to the assisted living home they were in in Sparta. We send our love and many hugs to Ray and are thinking of all of this larger than life family. She was one of a kind and will most definitely be missed. Please give Ray our best wishes and hope for a better day.
Thank you!
To the family of Melba Bradshaw: Melba was a loving, kind, and caring friend. I had the honor of knowing Melba for many years. Working as our Secretary for Local 210 B Spartan Printing Union. She was our Sunlight when days were gloomy. She loved us all!! She will be terribly missed by all who knew and Loved her. God Bless you Melba. 💜💙💖
Sincerely,
Linda Boston
Quincy, IL
Thank you!
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. We remember 4th of July’s out at their place. Melba was always a cheerful woman and a blessing to be around. Those were fun times…may the Lord give you all peace and uplift you during this most uncertain of times. God Bless.
Susan Bradshaw says:
06/03/2020 at 1:56 pm
Thanks Susan. I remember inviting you to Melbas many times. We always had a great time!!
Thank you Susan, Fourth of July was one of her favorite times of the year, She loved having big parties . We sure did make a lot of great memories.
Thank you!
Steve, you have my deepest sympathies to your family.
Thank you!
My heart goes out to Melba’s family…what a wonderful friend…none sweeter than Melba.
Thanks Susan. I remember inviting you to Melbas many times. We always had a great time!!
Our prayers and sympathy to Ray and her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, other family and friends. I have known Melba since I worked with her at Head Start many years ago and through Zion Church. She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed.
Thank you!
Thank you!