Melody Dudley Wilkinson

Melody (Dudley) Wilkinson passed away at the age of 77, Thursday May 9, 2024, at her brother Tim’s home in Rupert, Idaho. Melody was born August 5, 1946 in Burley, Idaho. The daughter of Ray R. Dudley and Celia Gean (Frost) Gilmour. Melody was educated in Idaho first 4 ½ years in Heyburn and Burley, Idaho, 1 ½ years in Salt Lake City and Ogden, Utah. 3 more years in Burley, Idaho, 2 years in Seaside, California and the last year in Rupert, Idaho. Graduated from Minico High in 1965. She worked at Ore-Ida Foods potato processing plant in packaging for about 2 ½ years. Melody met Emil Wilkinson on a blind date in January of 1968 and they were married on March 15, 1968 at the Pella Ward building in Burley Idaho. Melody and Emil moved to Arizona in 1971 to take care of Emil’s two daughters Adelma and Emily they lived there for 10 years eventually moving back to Idaho in 1982. They lived in Gooding Idaho in the country for 21 years raising animals and gardening. On October 13. 1984 their marriage was solemnized in the Boise Idaho Temple. Melody enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, yard work and sewing. Melody is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She held many positions Primary teacher, Jr. Sunday School teacher, many years in Cub Scouting as a Webelos Leader with other positions in the program, an activity Day assistant, Coordinated the Missionary dinners in Gooding, a Sundy School Door Greeter. After her husband became ill, they moved into town. She became a widow on December 9, 2006. She did a lot of volunteer work at the local Museum in Gooding, ran the gift shop for awhile and then became the curator.

Melody is preceded in death by her brother Richard Dudley, Father Ray Dudley, Stepfather Jack Gilmour, Stepmother Janet Dudley, Stepdaughter Emily Yates and Granddaughter Melody Marie. She is survived by her Mother Celia Gilmour, five sisters Lynn (Ernest) Sheen of Twin Falls, Idaho, Lori Pace of Washington, Utah, Susan (Ron Jr) Pelton of Florence, Arizona, Cindee (Steve) Weirich of Burley, Idaho, Connie (Frank) Uriugen Heyburn, Idaho. Two brothers Tim (Deelyn) Dudley of Rupert, Idaho, Gordon (Bonnie) Butters of Rexburg, Idaho, Stepdaughter Adelma (Glenn) Budden of Kimberly, Idaho.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday May 17, 2024 at the Rupert Stake Center, Rupert, Idaho. A viewing for family and friends will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Services will conclude with burial in the Rupert Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Hansen Mortuary.