Melba Bernhardt

Melba Irene Bernhardt, 80, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, surrounded by her loving family at her home.

She was born Sept. 24, 1941, in Cape Girardeau to Clarence Elmer and Irene Mildred Sewing Cox. She and Donald Bernhardt were married July 6, 1963, in Crosstown, Missouri.

Melba started out in the Women's Army Corps in 1959.

She moved to Jackson in September 1964. She was a nurse's aide at old Saint Francis Hospital. She moved to Cape Girardeau two months after moving to Jackson. She worked at Saint Francis until 1975, when she began home and friend care-taking, which she continued until recently. She was also a Mary Kay consultant, beginning in 1990 and continuing until the time of her death.

She was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed her time at McDonald's in the mornings for coffee with her husband and fellow veterans.

She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.

Survivors include her husband, Donald Bernhardt of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Stephen John Bernhardt of Cape Girardeau and Jeffry Scott (Donna) Bernhardt of Dupo, Illinois; a daughter, Heather Jean Mouser of Cape Girardeau; a sister, Dorothy Pohlman of Sedgewickville, Missouri; seven grandchildren, Brooke Nicole Long, Noah Donald Bernhardt, Hannah Irene Bernhardt, Kenton Lee (Maegan) Bernhardt, Starr Michelle (Roy III) Hinman, Dakota Rose (Fizzy) Hughey and Kanion Chayton Hughey; four great-grandchildren, Roy Hinman IV, Ravyn Hinman, Ronan Hughey and Lilith Rosetta Bernhardt; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Melba was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Donald Cox Sr.; and a sister, Mary L. Wahlers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Douglas Breite officiating. Burial will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 N. Frederick St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or Trinity Lutheran School, 55 N. Pacific St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.