Melba Jean (Winans) McDowell was born on October 14, 1941, in Boone, Iowa, to Arthur Paul and Alice (Allen) Winans. She passed from this life into the arms of her Savior on February 26, 2025, at the age of 83 years at Blue Hills Rest Home, in Independence, Missouri. Services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 3, 2025 at Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home, Independence, Missouri. Burial following at New Salem Cemetery, Independence, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until service time at the funeral home.
Melba graduated from Creston High School in Creston, Iowa, and attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, for a brief time before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska and marrying Jack McDowell. Two daughters were born to this union: Stacey Lea and Darcey Jean. Melba and Jack divorced in 1977.
Melba was employed at State Farm Insurance for 40 years, first in Lincoln, Nebraska, and later in Independence, Missouri. She was a member of The Everlasting Church of Jesus Christ in the Latter Day.
Melba loved to sing, research family history and archeology, Nebraska and Chiefs football, and spending time with her family. She was a talented soloist and sang for many church services and in the Messiah chorus. Her family history library was extensive, and she loved contacting family members whom she had never met before. Her love of archeology was part of her church studies, and she spent hours with books and maps. She had a great sense of humor, and many hours were spent with family and friends reminiscing and laughing over the years. She was very athletic and loved to play basketball, volleyball, and bowl. Melba participated in bowling leagues in Lincoln, Nebraska, and won the doubles division in a city-wide tournament with her sister-in-law.
Melba was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Paul and Philip, and sister and husband, Dawn and Jim Dringenberg.
Melba is survived by her daughters: Stacey (Kevin) Dietiker and Darcey (Lon) McAllister; grandchildren: Kendra (Neil) Harris, Bailey McAllister and Jim Rowland, Dylan McAllister, Cheyenne Messer and Nick Flynn, Ashley Dietiker, Aimee (Ty) Murphy, Jesci McAllister and Jaxon Clay, and Krysta (Darien) Tate; her sister and brother-in-law, Leta (Carl) VunCannon and sister-in-law Gwen Winans along with many nieces and nephews.
Obituary submitted by the family.
Arrangements: Royer’s New Salem Funeral Home ~ Independence, MO (816) 796-8600
Miles Nelson
28 Feb 2025Thank you for this notification. Melba is my cousin , by my Mother Florence (Allen) Nelson.
We will not be able to attend the visitation or service, but will be sending a card.
The best memory I want to share is with Melba’s interest in our family history, and the fact that in these later years Melba so reminds me of how she looks so much like Grandmother Allen.