HOISINGTON — Melba E. Maggard, 85 died Nov. 15 at Great Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Oct. 21, 1929, at Hoisington, the daughter of Henry Cordory and Maudie Elizabeth (Anglin) Spires.
Growing up, Melba worked as a waitress.  Melba married Leroy Maggard July 1, 1957, at Clayton, N.M.  After marriage, they ran a filling station in Hoisington and later in Great Bend. Upon moving to Liberal, Melba worked at Beech Aircraft until her husband became ill and required her care. They moved back to Hoisington in 1998.
After the death of her husband, June 2, 2001,  she became active at the Hoisington Bible Church with the children’s Bible program, and also was a school bus helper with her brother Clayton Spires.
Melba was a friend to many and will be sadly missed by all who knew her and her family.
Survivors include four sisters, Nadine Beeman of Alexadria, Ind., Basil Jantz of Salina, Twilla Brack of Hoisington and Shirley Juby of Gillette, Wyo.; three brothers, Clayton Spires of Hoisington, Sandy Spires of Norton and William Spires of Denver, Colo.; and a stepdaughter, Debbie Smith of Hebren, Neb. She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Spires, one brother Lavern Spires, and by one sister, Bernice Whitaker.
Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 17, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home in Hoisington with Pastor Gary Clark, officiant. Interment will be at Hoisington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1-8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Hoisington Bible Church, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home**
415 N. Main; P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS  67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 16, 2014