Melba Jo Milliner

Cherished by four generations Melba Jo Milliner was born August 5, 1933 in Wabash County, Indiana to Estel and Eva (Kulb) Dyson. Melba Jo graduated from Chippewa High School in May 1951. She became the wife of Morris E. Milliner on November 2, 1951, he passed away July 21, 2011. She recalled, at a young age, hanging out and working with her dad on the farm. She continued this practice by being by Morris' side assisting in the tractor, grain truck, or combine during planting/harvest. She was the ultimate "helpmate." Melba Jo and Morris were interested in many Christian endeavors. They attended the Wabash Alliance Church for 62 years. She was also a Sunday School teacher, sang in the church choir, and a Gideon Auxiliary member. She was a member of the LaFontaine Liberty Bells in the 1950s until the responsibilities of raising five children made meeting impossible. Recently she had started meeting with these ladies for lunch, catching up on each other's lives. She always looked forward to family get-togethers and holidays were very special occasions.
She is survived by her brother Eddie (Hedy) Dyson; children: Kathy (Ric) Kilby, Barbara (Fred) Drye, and Jane Parrett, and David (Marcia) Milliner of Wabash County, Indiana. Grandchildren: Jack Kilby, Joe (Mindy) Sloop, James (Jackie) Sloop, Rebekah (Austin) Brown, Rachael (Finote) Aklilu, Mindy Drye, Brandon (Cindy) Parrett, Jared (Sherry) Parrett, Chad Parrett, Wendy (Adam) Lynn, Jeremy Milliner, and Tim (Chasity) Milliner. Great Grandchildren: Jack Kilby, Celsey (Phil) Jiminez, Andrew Sloop, Jared (Kristi Carlson) Sloop, Jacob (Shakeria Polling) Sloop, Jenna (Dan) Johnston, Calvin Brown, Ethan (Youna) Brown, Felicity Brown, Malachi Aklilu, Zipporah Aklilu, Nehemiah Aklilu, Gideon Aklilu, Audrey (Lucas) Shupert, Nathan Parrett, Landon (Kiana) Parett, Elijah Parrett, Hannah Parrett, Kira Parrett, Josie Lynn, Jaeda Lynn, Justin Lynn, Tyler Milliner, Caidence Milliner, and Ava Milliner. Great-great grandchildren: Lainey Jimenez, Henry and Abby Johnston, Rodney and Jackie Lynn Sloop, Cannon and Wesson Parrett, and Paisley Shupert. She was preceded by her husband Morris Milliner, son Michael Milliner, grandson Doug Drye, and son-in-law Lonnie Parrett.
Funeral services will be 2:00 pm, Monday, November 3, 2025, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Scott Johnston officiating. Burial will be in LaFontaine I.O.O.F. Cemetery, LaFontaine. Friends may call 12:00 - 2:00 pm, Monday, at the funeral home.
Preferred memorial is Life Center of Wabash.
The memorial guest book for Melba may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Melba, please visit our floral store.