Melva Schalk

Melva Ann “Brownie” Schalk, 93, departed from us on January 23, 2026, in Wellington. She was born April 27, 1932 in Blackwell, OK to Joseph and Lillian (Looper) Brown. Melva enjoyed her early years in Oklahoma and fondly recalled riding ponies to the country school she attended before her family made the move to town where she graduated from Braman High School.

Melva’s love story began in her high school years when she met her future husband, Melvin “Gene” Schalk. They married on July 12, 1951, during a furlough of his Army service. They built a beautiful life together, centered around their three children – Brad, Gayle, and Shelly. Following 47 years of marriage, Gene passed away in 1998. Melva eventually found love again with Jack Barnes, cherishing their shared years before his passing. Melva’s life was a testament to her strength, her love for others, and her ability to endure and find joy again, even in times of sorrow.
Melva was a woman of many passions – she loved fishing, playing cards, gardening, listening to country music, and crafting. Her career in hospital financial services demonstrated a sincere dedication to her community. She served in administration positions at the hospitals in Ponca City and Wellington and retired from St. Luke’s Hospital in Wellington. Yet she always said her greatest accomplishment was being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She valued her relationships with her loved ones above all else, considering herself fortunate to have so many loving friends and relatives over the years.

She leaves behind her loving family including her son, Brad Schalk and wife Sarah of Skiatook, OK; daughter, Gayle Glenn and husband Steve of Wellington; daughter, Shelly Martin and husband Scott of Wellington; her grandchildren: Wade Schalk and wife Stephanie, Kelly Schalk, Emily Carberry and husband Kevin, Molly Klosterman and husband Hank, and Dustin Glenn and wife Laura; and her 12 beloved great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Melva is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Lillian Brown; her husbands, Melvin “Gene” Schalk and Jack Barnes; her sister, LaJean Bonewell; a grandson, Steven Glenn and a great-granddaughter, Kiersten Glenn.

Memorial services for Melva will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 13, 2026, in the chapel of Cornejo Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. in the Braman Cemetery, Braman, OK.

Melva’s family is so grateful for the love and care that she received from Breonna and the staff at Homestead of Wellington along with Ashley and the Interim Hospice team. The extra love and attention never went unnoticed. As such, please consider making a contribution in Melva’s name to either Interim Hospice, 314 North Washington Avenue, Wellington, KS 67152 or Homestead of Wellington, 500 North Plum, Wellington, KS 67152.

We invite all who knew Melva to share a memory, leave condolences or sign her digital tribute wall at www.cornejofuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Cornejo Funeral Home + Crematory, Wellington, Kansas.