BonnerSprings.com

When you walk into the Edwardsville Post Office it’s hard to miss a large calendar that’s been covered in Xs and Os with a fluorescent, pink highlighter.

The calendar symbolizes the end of two workers combined 68 years of service to the postal profession. As Melinda Hess and Janet Manson cross off each passing day on the calendar, they get closer to a large “O” that circles Nov. 30, their last day as postal employees.

“It’s scary, it’s exciting, it’s an adventure,” said Hess, who has been with the postal service for 37 years.

Hess, whose mother was a postal employee, began working for the post office as her second career choice. She said she took the exam, required of all postal workers, during a time she was substitute teacher, waiting for a full-time contract to come in.

Manson, who has been with the postal service for 31 years, said she got her start on a break from nursing school.

“I was going to go back (to nursing school),” she said. “But I stayed.”

Both women started their postal careers together in a Kansas City, Kan., office. They eventually parted and worked at various other offices before Hess was transferred to Edwardsville in 1977 and then Manson joined her in 1990.

Manson, who lives in Tonganoxie, said during the years they’ve created a second family with their post office customers.

Hess seconded that sentiment saying that’s the main reason she’s stayed as long as she has.

“It’s been a privilege to share in the lives of the customers,” said Hess, who lives in Edwardsville. “They become part of your family.”

But the thought of leaving is bittersweet for both women. While they admit they’ll be sad to say goodbye to customers, they can’t help but look forward to what’s ahead.

“I’m going to do what I want to do, when I want to do it, how I want to do it,” Hess said.

Hess said she plans to spend a lot of her newly-acquired free time traveling to visit family across the country. Her first stop will be to visit her sister in Arizona.

Manson, on the other hand, will be headed back to school, but not to finish the nursing degree she left 31 years ago. This time, Manson will be taking art classes to further her painting abilities. She’s also looking forward to having her Saturdays off so she can attend more art shows.

“I’m excited,” she said.

Manson and Hess are planning a large celebration following their last day of work with other postal employees retiring in the area. The group is planning a large bonfire in which they plan to burn various postal mementos.

Manson said she plans to burn a small bag she’s carried her post office keys in for her entire career.

“I’ve already got the wood,” Hess said, with a big smile on her face as she considered the passage to the next phase in her life.

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