Melba May Ambler

Melba May Ambler, age 89, of Lamar, passed away Sunday, January 5, 2014, at Barton County Memorial Hospital following a long illness.      Melba was born January 28, 1924 at Iantha, Missouri, the daughter of John and Vista (Washburn) Hess.  On December 2, 1940, at Bentonville, Arkansas, she married Tom Ambler and they had celebrated 57 years together before his passing on January 10, 2008.  She was also preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Norman Hess; and a son, David Ambler on January 9, 2010.      In addition to farming alongside Tom, Melba was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was a natural and loving caregiver for her family and many neighborhood children as well.  Melba tended large gardens throughout the years, preserving the fruit and vegetables and taking pleasure in watching her flowers flourish.      Survivors include her children, Deborah Ann Ambler, Dennis (Bea) Ambler, and Denise (Daniel) Mankey, all of Lamar; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Morris, Beth Besendorfer, April Vaughan, Rex Ambler, Max Ambler, Amanda Foster, and A.J. Mankey; and nine great-grandchildren, Allison and Ashlynn Morris, Dashelle Pennell, Chloe Vaughan, Klayton, Isaac, Jacob, Gabriel and Ella Foster.       Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 9th at Daniel Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Tolson Cemetery east of Sheldon, Missouri.