Melissa McLewis 1972-2025

Born the baby of the family, Sept. 1, 1972, to Carol Speerstra-Gernentz and Craig Gernentz, Melissa was a chatterbox and firecracker from the beginning. She was a 1990 graduate of LaBrae High School, where she was a proud member of the marching band, inheriting her mother’s musical talents.

She married her husband, Bob, Nov. 5, 1994; she continued on in the Viking community for years to come, raising their three kids in the town she was proud to call home.

She shared a special love for animals, always taking in any stray to show up on her doorstep, and she passed this love down to her children through their many years of 4-H. Growing up on the fairgrounds every summer, this was her favorite time of the year, making so many friends and memories and watching her children grow in the show ring.

And as much as she loved animals, she loved babies even more. There wasn’t a family function you could show up to without seeing Melissa snuggling a baby in the corner, and with a family as big as hers, there was no shortage.

Out of all of her accomplishments, she would tell you that her biggest joy was being a mom to her three children, Dustin, Owen and Alexis. She never failed to show up for their sporting events, Boy Scout meetings, 4-H shows or school functions, making sure she was the loudest voice in the room. Her love extended from her kids to their friends, always willing to be an ear for advice or a shoulder to lean on, and would rescue them at the drop of a dime. She would laugh that their orneriness was payback for all of the trouble she and her best friend Melanie got into as kids.

A close friend of the Amish community, Melissa spent her most recent years transporting the friends she made and turning those friends into extended family.

She loved gardening, spending time outdoors, and baking and cooking family recipes, but most of all, just spending time with her family, laughing and making memories.

Melissa was preceded in death by her parents, Carol and Craig, and we know she is rejoicing at being reunited with them.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Bob; three children, Dustin (Kat), Owen (Megan) and Alexis (Drew) Mendik; honorary daughter, Stephanie (Tyler) Morris; three sisters, Debi (George) Gordon, Marci (Richie) Gierlach and Dawnell (Kate) Gernentz; brother, Greg (Amber) Baugher; stepmom, Terri Gernentz; and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, 533 North Park Ave., Warren, with funeral services at noon.

Melissa will be laid to rest in Crown Hill Burial Park, Vienna.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Melissa’s honor to the Diles Charitable Foundation, who were so kind and gracious to her family throughout her battle with cancer.

This obituary may be viewed and condolences can be sent by visiting www.carlwhall.com.

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