On Saturday, January 22, Melba Jane (Wilkins) Leonard, passed away in her home after a long battle with breast cancer. She was born on October 30th, to Alice (Scott) and Charles Clifford (C.C.) Wilkins, in Davenport, Iowa. She was the third of five children. She spent most of her childhood in East Peoria, Ill. Melba would meet the love of her life while working at the E. Peoria Steak n' Shake. On April, 2 1941, she married Herbert (Herb) Dale Leonard. They settled in Peoria, Ill. They would welcome a daughter, Linda on March 17, 1943. Then on April 20, 1959 they were blessed with a son, Gary. While in Peoria, she became a past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star and devoted countless volunteer hours to the American Red Cross. They enjoyed neighborhood BBQs, post speak-easy venues and square dancing (and the couple that missed the dance, had to host the breakfast the next morning for all of the other couples). Their most prized adventure and time was boating down the Illinois River, on The We III, then The We IV followed by the Melba Jane. In 1973, they would move to Springfield, Mo., to establish what is now Leonard's Steak n' Shake. In Springfield, they would enjoy the company of life-long friends, traveling on countless bus trips, several John Q Hammons hotel openings and cruises around the world. They were members of the Missouri Restaurant Association and a member of First and Calvary Presbyterian Church. In 1977, they would begin enjoying their winters in the Palm Beach area. During this time they would establish a home and community of friends. An avid homemaker, she enjoyed cooking (the best potato salad-ever), playing bridge at the Elk's Lodge and time with friends and family. Melba was a direct spoken person, with a sharp-wit; you always knew where you stood with her. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Leonard, of S. Jacksonville, Ill.; son, Gary Leonard and wife Bridgette, of Springfield, Mo.; grandson, Gary Dale Leonard, of St, Louis, Mo.; granddaughter, Lindsay Dorrance and husband Samuel, of Tampa, Fla.; granddaughter, Sophia Grace Leonard, of Springfield, Mo.; beloved brother, Gerald Wilkins, of Powell, Wyo.; a sister, Margie (Wilkins) Spano, of Sacramento, Calif.; countless nieces and nephews, and a host of friends in Springfield, Mo. and Palm Beach, Fla. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Integrity In-Home Care for their exceptional service and care, especially to Joan and Joyce, in her final days of life. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m., in First and Calvary Presbyterian Church, on Tuesday, January 25th. A visitation will begin at 10 a.m., prior to the service, with a cemetery service, after the service in Hazelwood cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO), 330 N. Jefferson, Springfield, MO 65806.