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
*A free zoom account is required to attend
Services
Viewing
Livestream Service
Viewing
Funeral Service
Graveside Service
Services Handled By
Life Story Info
Post Date
Personal Info
Age
June Hymas Ames
I am so sorry that I am seeing this so so late It makes me feel horrible I also grew up on harrison Ave I miss everyone out there all is true sad day he and many others make our little life what it was beautiful friendly open smiles and happy little piece of heaven there I remeber going to his house to place with the grand kids of his and walking threw his rose shop .... ❤️ sorry Mr wilkey I wasn't around to say goodbye ....
I am so sorry that I am seeing this so so late It makes me feel horrible I also grew up on harrison Ave I miss everyone out there all is true sad day he and many others make our little life what it was beautiful friendly open smiles and happy little piece of heaven there I remeber going to his house to place with the grand kids of his and walking threw his rose shop .... ❤️ sorry Mr wilkey I wasn't around to say goodbye ....
I am so sorry that I am seeing this so so late It makes me feel horrible I also grew up on harrison Ave I miss everyone out there all is true sad day he and many others make our little life what it was beautiful friendly open smiles and happy little piece of heaven there I remeber going to his house to place with the grand kids of his and walking threw his rose shop .... ❤️ sorry Mr wilkey I wasn't around to say goodbye ....
What a shock to see this I worked with Mel a long time in the MIA program. What a great guy he was. So kind and thoughtful. He will be greatefully missed. My thoughts go to Diane and the kids.
What a shock to see this I worked with Mel a long time in the MIA program. What a great guy he was. So kind and thoughtful. He will be greatefully missed. My thoughts go to Diane and the kids.
It doesn't seem like 60 years ago that I opened the door to a young man there to meet my roommate, Dianne. I witnessed an immediate attraction between the two, and it wasn't very long before they were married. This was my introduction to the most kind, honest, caring, non-judgemental man that I have ever known. Through Mel, I learned to truly appreciate the beauty of flowers and the happiness they can bring to our lives. I will truly miss him.
Mel has been a wonderful neighbor and friend to me, my family and especially to my mom. He was always there when illness came to her and my dad. He was a comfort with both kind words, food and service. When we needed to get my Mom to the Doctors, Mel was there to help. It was urgent to get her to the doctors one day and when we finally got her out to the car, a man had a seizer right in front of the driveway to block our way. Mel came out and took care of this man while we continued on to the doctors' We are so thankful for all the contributions of love and support he has given my family!
Mel has been a wonderful neighbor and friend to me, my family and especially to my mom. He was always there when illness came to her and my dad. He was a comfort with both kind words, food and service. When we needed to get my Mom to the Doctors, Mel was there to help. It was urgent to get her to the doctors one day and when we finally got her out to the car, a man had a seizer right in front of the driveway to block our way. Mel came out and took care of this man while we continued on to the doctors' We are so thankful for all the contributions of love and support he has given my family!
Mel was one of the kindness, most genuine people I have every met. As a neighbor of him and Diane, he was always quick with a wave, smile and a witty comment. Harrison Ave will miss this great man immensely!
My sincerest condolences to Diane and the family.
Tina
Mel was one of the kindness, most genuine people I have every met. As a neighbor of him and Diane, he was always quick with a wave, smile and a witty comment. Harrison Ave will miss this great man immensely!
My sincerest condolences to Diane and the family.
Tina
What a true blessing it was for me to get to know Mel and his family! Thank you for being a part of my life.
So very sorry that I can't make it to the services for you and your family.
God bless and watch over you all!
Love - Your Brother Jay
What a true blessing it was for me to get to know Mel and his family! Thank you for being a part of my life.
So very sorry that I can't make it to the services for you and your family.
God bless and watch over you all!
Love - Your Brother Jay
What a true blessing it was for me to get to know Mel and his family! Thank you for being a part of my life.
So very sorry that I can't make it to the services for you and your family.
God bless and watch over you all!
Love - Your Brother Jay
What a true blessing it was for me to get to know Mel and his family! Thank you for being a part of my life.
So very sorry that I can't make it to the services for you and your family.
God bless and watch over you all!
Love - Your Brother Jay
I was blessed to become part of this fun Wilkey family. My daughter married their son Richard. Mel was always quite the character everytime we met up at some of the grandkids school events or just visiting up at the cabin. And oh could he and Dianne put on the dinners for whatever the occasion required! I will miss your humor and your friendship. Be at peace now.
I was blessed to become part of this fun Wilkey family. My daughter married their son Richard. Mel was always quite the character everytime we met up at some of the grandkids school events or just visiting up at the cabin. And oh could he and Dianne put on the dinners for whatever the occasion required! I will miss your humor and your friendship. Be at peace now.
When we were first married-February 1986, Sharon and I moved from Provo, Utah to Salt Lake City and the Hawthorne Ward. "Uncle Mel" was in the bishopric. I have never met a kinder more genuine and caring individual than "Uncle Mel" as we called him. As members of the Hawthorne Ward, our first three children were born, probably how we got to calling him "Uncle Mel".
I rode the 9th East bus home one February day and turned into the Rose Shop across the street from the church to ask 'Uncle Mel" about roses for our anniversary on February 12th. He said to me, "Bob, I will not sell you any roses, they are $53 a dozen. I will find you something else." He got something else for me to give Sharon.
We moved to Oregon in 1993. "Uncle Mel" probably visited us at least four times as he traveled on vacations with the Poulsons, the Rollins, etc.. members of the Hawthworne Ward. The Wilkey girls were Young Women when Sharon was the YW President. We will forever be grateful for our friendship with "Uncle Mel" and his family and the wonderful time and experiences our young family had as members of the Hawthorne Ward. Thank you, Uncle Mel, for all the wonderful memories. We love you, your family, and all the old members of the Hawthorne Ward.
When we were first married-February 1986, Sharon and I moved from Provo, Utah to Salt Lake City and the Hawthorne Ward. "Uncle Mel" was in the bishopric. I have never met a kinder more genuine and caring individual than "Uncle Mel" as we called him. As members of the Hawthorne Ward, our first three children were born, probably how we got to calling him "Uncle Mel".
I rode the 9th East bus home one February day and turned into the Rose Shop across the street from the church to ask 'Uncle Mel" about roses for our anniversary on February 12th. He said to me, "Bob, I will not sell you any roses, they are $53 a dozen. I will find you something else." He got something else for me to give Sharon.
We moved to Oregon in 1993. "Uncle Mel" probably visited us at least four times as he traveled on vacations with the Poulsons, the Rollins, etc.. members of the Hawthworne Ward. The Wilkey girls were Young Women when Sharon was the YW President. We will forever be grateful for our friendship with "Uncle Mel" and his family and the wonderful time and experiences our young family had as members of the Hawthorne Ward. Thank you, Uncle Mel, for all the wonderful memories. We love you, your family, and all the old members of the Hawthorne Ward.
Growing up on Harrison Ave we have known Mel for many years. He provided help and friendship to our family. When dad passed away, he had a watchful eye for my mother. On occasion he provided flowers when we need them events in our lives. It was an honor to know him and thankful for his service.
Growing up on Harrison Ave we have known Mel for many years. He provided help and friendship to our family. When dad passed away, he had a watchful eye for my mother. On occasion he provided flowers when we need them events in our lives. It was an honor to know him and thankful for his service.