Nita Lavon Melick

Nita Lavon Melick, passed away Monday, July 28, 2025, at Ultra Care Home Plus in Wichita Kansas. Visitation 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm Friday, August 1, with family receiving friends 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, funeral service 10:00 am Saturday, August 2, both at Smith Mortuary, 501 SE Louis Blvd., Mulvane.

Nita was a loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. She passed away at the age of 87 after a long battle with dementia. Nita was born in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma on January 11,1938 to Ulysses Seaman Young and Lennie Audie (Haynes) Young. Nita was the youngest of her large family with five brothers: Cecil Young, Melvin Young, Selbert Young, James Young, Tom Young and two sisters: Bernice Calhoun and Joyce Gore. Nita lost her mom when she was four years old and was raised by her older siblings. Their family moved to Eldorado, Kansas when Nita was in 3rd grade.

Nita graduated from Eldorado High School in 1956 and soon after, while out with her girlfriends, met the love of her life, John Melick. Their courtship was short and mostly consisted of letters back and forth as John was in the Navy and only had a short time for dating while on leave from the Navy. They were united in marriage on May 18th, 1958, and were blessed with 4 children. Kathy Rogers, Cindy Haseley, Lori Hladik, and John Melick.

Nita worked for the Boeing Company for many years and retired as an Operations Manager. She was a hard worker and instilled a sense of commitment and work ethic in her children.

Her faith was beautiful, and she raised all her children in the Christian faith. She loved her family and spent many hours organizing family reunions and packing up to go to the lake. Her kids and grandchildren remember these wonderful moments with fishing, skiing, baking cookies and just hanging out with all the wonderful friends they made.

When they decided to retire, they purchased a home on Lake of the Ozarks and moved to Missouri. There, John and Nita made many friends and loved spending time with them and having their kids come visit.

When their health started to decline, John and Nita returned to their hometown of Mulvane in 2017. John took care of Nita until her dementia worsened, and he had to place her in a home. He visited her every day until his health got the best of him, and he could no longer drive there.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John, her parents, all her siblings, and a great-grandson, Isaac Sittenauer. Nita is survived by her children, Kathy Rogers, Cindy Haseley (Stephen), Lori Hladik (Chris), John Melick (Sonya); grandchildren, Ashley, Nicole (Adam), Taylor (Will), Jaman (Hannah), Kelsey (Matt), Aaron, Austin, KaSandra and Kylee (Jake); step-grandchildren, Stephanie (Peter) and Peter; 8 great-grandchildren and 3 great step-grandchildren; and her dog child, Miley.

A Memorial has been established with Traditions Health Hospice, 3221 N Toben St #200, Wichita, KS 67226.