Ridgeway – Melva Elaine (Polkinghorn) Phillips passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at the age of 95 years. The daughter of Floyd and Lenys (Collins) Polkinghorn was born January 19, 1927 in the Dodgeville Old Lutheran Hospital. Her youth was spent in the Hollyhead community. She attended grade school there and later Dodgeville High School graduating in 1944.

On February 16, 1946, Melva married Charles Page Phillips, son of George and Grace (Woodbury) Phillips, in the tiny Simpson Church where she had gone to church. They farmed south of Ridgeway where she spent her later life.

Melva was a charter member of the Iowa County Historical Society from its beginning in 1976. She spent many hours working at the museum. She was a member of the Grace Methodist Church in Ridgeway and was the historian and secretary for many years as well as a member of the Simpson Ladies Aid. Melva was also on the board for the Hyde Blacksmith Shop and helped get it moved and opened back up.

Melva was a farm wife and had many hobbies including painting, scrap booking, and sewing. She loved local history and genealogy, putting together dozens of scrapbooks on both. She spent many hours giving slide shows for the Historical Society and helped many people find their roots.

In Iowa County she lived a good, rounded life and always said, "If I live to be one hundred, I'll never get all the things done I want to." She loved her family dearly and loved being with them.

Melva is survived by her four children: Dennis (Betty) Phillips, Marsha (Ronne) Squire, Larry Phillips, and Lynn (Sue) Phillips; ten grandchildren: Kristine (Al) Kaul, Lori (Lance) Alft, Steven (Alexis) Phillips, Kari (Kevin) Borgmeyer, Kelly (Steve) Peotter, Kevin (Beka) Phillips, Kurt (Angie) Phillips, Lisa (Shane) Sudmeier, Kyle Phillips, and Brian (Mickala) Phillips; nineteen great grandchildren: Benjamin, Madeline, Charlie, Lydia, Leo, Megan, Paige, Logan, Olivia, Ella, Jack, Teah, Casey, Lexy, Cole, Jordyn, Jada, Lillian and Madelyn, and one great-great granddaughter, Teegan; her brothers-in-law: Stanley (Alvina) Phillips and Arthur (Helen) Phillips; her sisters-in-law: June Weber and Lois Powell; many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Melva was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, in 2001; her parents Floyd and Lenys Polkinghorn; her brother, Leonard Polkinghorn; brothers-in-law: Nelmer Weber, Jack Powell and Bill Brandt; sisters-in law: Joyce Brandt and Geneva Mann; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law: George and Grace Phillips.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a. m. on Monday, January 23, 2023 at the GORGEN-McGINLEY & AYERS FUNERAL HOME in dodgeville. Pastor LeRoy Strutt will officiate. Burial will be held in East Side Cemetery in Dodgeville. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 11:20 a.m. on Monday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Iowa County Historical Society, Hyde Historial Territory, Simpson Chapel Society in Melva's honor.