Melba Young, age 87, of Stockton, Illinois, and formerly of Clay County, passed away Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Galena Nursing Home. She was born on January 16, 1935, in Olney to the late Clarence and Flossie (Brainard) McCommons.  Melba married Donald R. Young in October of 1953. Donald passed away in February 2009.

      Melba was a 1953 graduate of Flora High School. She was a member of Harmony Methodist Church in Flora and attended Wesley United Methodist Church in Stockton. Melba had worked for Western Electric, assembling circuit boards. She enjoyed quilting, painting, gardening, antiques, auctions and garage sales. Most of all, Melba loved spending time with her family and her dogs.

      She is survived by her daughter, Tess Wackerlin of Stockton; her daughter-in-law, Sharon (Rex) Young of Clinton, Wisconsin; her grandchildren, Heather DeWeese, Kelly (Jacob) Bryant, Brock (Laura) Wackerlin, Drew Wackerlin, Jamie Wackerlin, Jason (Misty) Young and Cassie Young; her great grandchildren, Kyle (Cari), Brayden,  Colt, Ella, Avery, Brynn, Carly, Cameron and Barrett; her one great-great  grandchild, Charleigh; and several cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; her two sons, Glenn and Rex; her brother, Dale McCommons; her four sisters, Maxine Lowe, Vera Colclasure, Erma Neeley and Jeanette Hochgesang; and her beloved dog, Sheba.

      In Clay County, a funeral ceremony will begin at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 5, 2022, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Kneff Cemetery, Flora.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the time of ceremony on Saturday.  Memorial donations are suggested to either Kneff Cemetery or Harmony United Methodist Church, and these will be accepted through the funeral home.  Prior to local arrangements, there will be a funeral service held at the Hermann Funeral Home in Stockton on Thursday, November 3, 2022, at 6 p.m. with a visitation beginning at 4 p.m.