Melinda Wareham 1948-2023
Melinda Wareham, 74, of Whiting, passed away Wednesday, April 26, 2023, as the result of a vehicle accident.
She was born Aug. 6, 1948, in Highland, the daughter of Fred E. and Mary (Bechtold) Cole.
Melinda graduated from Highland High School in 1966 and had attended Kansas State University. She was a rural mail carrier for more than 25 years and Avon sales representative for more than 50 years. Melinda was also a farm and ranch wife.
She was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church in Troy and St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. Melinda served 12 years as a Jackson Heights school board member. She was also a Jackson County Friends of Hospice Volunteer and an official member of the Whiting Ladies Social Club.
Melinda married Robert “Bob” Wareham on Aug. 20, 1966 in Troy; they celebrated more than 56 years of marriage.
Survivors include her husband, Bob, of the home; four children, Rob Wareham (Heldi) of Whiting, Doug Wareham (Janelle) of Topeka, Kayla Collins (Mike) of Highland and Julie Porter (Jeremy) of Whiting; three sisters, Virginia Whetstine of Highland, Carol Kilmer (Craig) of Kirksville, Mo., and Mary Schneider (Ron) of Highland; sisters-in-law, Sharon Cole of Denison and Kathy Cole of Highland; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Mary Cole; two brothers, Emmett Cole and Rick Cole; and a brother-in-law, John Whetstine.
Melinda was a loving and giving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially taking care of and attending her grandchildren’s activities.
A rosary will be recited at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 30 with visitation from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., both at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 1 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Holton. Burial will follow in Springhill Cemetery just north of Whiting.
Memorials may be given to the St. Dominic Catholic Church or Jackson County Crisis Pregnancy Center, sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
