Melvin Delbert Wilkey, 83, of Salt Lake City, Utah passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on June 16, 2023. He was born May 31, 1940, in Nephi, Utah to Fred and Helen Wilkey.

Mel served his two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southwest British Mission from 1960-1962. He married Dianne Peterson of Cedar City, Utah on August 10, 1963, in the St. George, Utah Temple. Mel worked for the Church caring for the grounds, then soon found his passion and lifelong career at The Rose Shop. While living in the Hawthorne Ward he served in various positions. His favorite unofficial calling was serving all the widows. He, along with a few others, formed a young marrieds group and today they are still great friends. Mel was literally a friend to everyone. He was very talented. When he wasn’t arranging flowers, he was building floats for parades all over the state, decorating, catering, cooking, quilting, making ceramics, and embroidering dishtowels. He loved sharing his jams, salsas, pickled beets, recipes, dishtowels, and ceramics with everyone. Another great love was our family cabin where he enjoyed spending his summers. Mel always had a great sense of humor, and it continued right up to his last day.

Mel is survived by his wife Dianne, children Jeffrey (Jenifer) Wilkey, Richard (Jazz) Wilkey, Melanie (Darrell) Barton, Lauri (Anthony) Wiser, Glen (Ella) Cly, Darlene Cly from the Navajo Nation, 21 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are made with Larkin Mortuary. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, June 24, 2023, at the old Hawthorne Ward Building, 808 E Roosevelt Avenue. Friends may visit Friday evening, June 23, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 pm at Larkin Mortuary, 260 E South Temple, Salt Lake City or Saturday 9:00-9:45 am prior to the funeral services. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 E 10600 S, Sandy, Utah.

To attend virtual services please click the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82320795080

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