MOUNT VERNON – On Friday, April 28, 2023, Dolores “Dodie” Marie Wilke Melvin went peacefully home to be with her Lord and Savior.
She was born July 30, 1927, and was the only child of Fritz Wilke Jr. and Hazel “Nan” M. Womeldorf Emmett.
Dodie graduated from Central High School in Columbus, Ohio in 1945. After completing high school, Dodie got a job as a secretary at the U.S. Government Depot, where, at the time, they also kept German prisoners of war.
Her dream of being a schoolteacher required going to college, so she went to night classes, taking and excelling in business courses that ended up being related more toward secretarial jobs. That talent eliminated her dream of being a schoolteacher, but provided her with many other employment opportunities.
Dodie’s true passion in life was writing and helping others, both of which she was quite good at. One of Dodie’s most memorable jobs was as executive assistant to the dean of the dairy science department at The Ohio State University. The knowledge and experience she gained while working with students and faculty and meeting many people from all walks of life, made her a perfect fit for her role as the director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in 2003.
Other jobs along her career path included Columbus Jack, where she met and later married Pearl “Pete” Emerson Melvin, Mt. Carmel Hospital, The First Knox Bank (now Park National) and working as a writer for both the Centerburg and Mt. Vernon Gazettes, where her regular NAMI articles appeared.
Her life outside of work was equally active, spending time with her husband, acting as a 4-H advisor and staying involved with all four children, eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Dolores Marie Wilke Melvin was predeceased by her mother, father and husband.
She is survived by her son, Joseph and daughter-in-law, Connie Melvin of Niwot, Colorado; daughter, Tara Lei and son-in-law, Lawrence Griffith of Bethel; son, Douglas and daughter-in-law, Paula Melvin of Columbus; son, David and daughter-in-law, Denise Melvin of Centerburg; grandchildren: Christopher, Britney, Andrew Melvin and Piper Niehaus, Chad, Ashley and Matt Griffith, Donovan and Stephanie Melvin, Kayla and Eric Trudel, Kyle and Sam Melvin and Kurt and Haley Melvin. She also is survived by her 14 great-grandchildren, many other relatives and friends.
Dodie’s wishes were to be cremated and, at a later date, we will celebrate the beautiful life of our special mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. In lieu of flowers, Mom would so love donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, located at 15 E Vine St., Mount Vernon, OH.
The Dowds-Snyder Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Dolores “Dodie” Marie Wilke Melvin.
