Melba W. Burns, age 86, of Elkhart, Kansas died Tuesday, July 24, 2012 at Morton County Care Center in Elkhart, Kansas. She was born October 1, 1925 on the farm near Sturgis, Oklahoma the daughter of Denny Reese and Lavina Opal (Kintner) Brown.

Melba was a longtime resident of Elkhart. She attended grade school at the Round Top School in the Oklahoma Panhandle and graduated from Elkhart High School. Melba married Dale C. Burns on May 12, 1946 in Elkhart. She was an accomplished seamstress, and enjoyed cooking and baking. She was involved in 4-H with her children, and was a member of the Elkhart United Methodist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Roger and wife Joyce (Scheller) Burns of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Wayne and wife Pamela (Smith) Burns of Newton, Kansas; four granddaughters and grandsons-in-law, Dawn and Bryan Spann of Rhome, Texas, Alicia and Luke Jayne of Warrensburg, Missouri, Megan and Charles Small of Long Beach, California, Amanda and Alan Osborne of Colorado Springs, Colorado; eight great-grandchildren, Camron and Cody Spann, Luke, Olivia and Landon Jayne, Miles Small, and Zackary and Madelyn Osborne.

Melba is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dale on September 21, 2002; and brother, J. Reece Brown.

Funeral service will be held Friday, July 27, 2012 at 10:00 AM at the United Methodist Church in Elkhart, Kansas with Reverend Dennis Reimer presiding. Interment will be at the Elkhart Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday, July 26, 2012 from 10:00 AM until 8:00 PM at Garnand Funeral Home in Elkhart. Memorials may be given to the Whistle Stop Park or United Methodist Church in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 854, Elkhart, KS 67950.