Melanie Walker

A celebration of life for Melanie Walker, a 68-year-old Buffalo resident who passed away Sunday July13, at the Johnson County Health Care Center surrounded by a room full of family, will be held by her family at a time to be decided later. As Melanie went to be with her Lord and Savior, she was supported with laughter and family singing. Her final send-off included several echoing Basque yells! Melanie unselfishly gave to others as she was an organ donor in which skin, bone and eyes will be given to those in need.   Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com.

Melanie Ann Walker was born on July16, 1956 in Buffalo, to Vernon and Jeanette Maxwell. She was number eight of the twelve children born in the Maxwell Bunch. Melanie grew up and went to school in Buffalo and graduated from Buffalo High School with the class of 1974. After high school, on July 4^th, 1976, she was married in Buffalo to Joseph Braun, and they made their home in Washington State.  Following a divorce, she returned to Wyoming, where she attended Respiratory Therapy School in Rock Springs.  She was married on July 3, 1985, in Big Bear Lake, California to Richard Walker, M.D. and they made their home in Rock Springs. After divorcing, she moved to Springfield, Missouri where she was a realtor and business owner. Melanie married Steve Cole, and they lived in Springfield.  Mr. Cole passed away in October 2024 and Melanie moved to Buffalo where she lived until her death.

She is survived by one son, Joseph Hunter Walker of Missouri; grandson Jamison Walker of Arizona; sisters; Mary Kay Stafford (Jim), Marilyn Maxwell, Monica Smithers (Rick), Marci Buckley (Jerry), Margo Trevino (George), Michele Peck (Jeff), and Marti Markovsky (Jon); and brothers David Maxwell (Sheila), and Tom Maxwell. Melanie also enjoyed her many nieces, nephews and great nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands and two brothers. The family of Melanie Ann Walker would like to thank all the staff of JCHC for their care of Melanie in the past several months.