Melba Jean Overy Schofield, 81, of Evanston, passed away Friday, July 11, at Rocky Mountain Care, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born on Jan. 22, 1944, in Rock Springs, the daughter of Allen and Melba Overy.
She attended school in Mountain View, graduating from Mountain View High School in 1962.
In January 1963, she married Basil Stewart, and they had four boys: Brent (Rena), Blair (Lisa), Bruce (Staci) and Bart (Toni). They later divorced.
In February 1978, she married Jay Schofield, and they had three boys: Jayson (Lindsay), Josh and Jared (Jackie).
She is survived by her children, 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; her brothers, Jess (Ruth) Overy, Jerry (Vickie) Overy and Ed (Susan) Overy; and sisters, Patsy Ann (Vearl) Bird and Ilene (Thad) Stevens.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay, in June of 1997, and her son, Bart in October 2021.
She was a member of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Merchants. She owned and operated Schofield Furniture and Appliance for more than 40 years.
She had a driven entrepreneurial spirit since high school, where she used to sell baked goods that allowed her to go on school trips.
She raised seven boys while running her business, putting all seven boys through school and sports, making her a longtime member of the Evanston Red Devil Booster Club.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, at the Evanston Stake Center, 721 Cheyenne Dr.
A visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Friday, July 18, at Crandall Funeral Home in Evanston, and again from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, prior to the service, at the church.
Interment will be in Evanston City Cemetery.
