Melissa (Fry) Zerkel

Melissa (Fry) Zerkel, 44, of Olney, IL, passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2024, at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital in Olney. Born on October 21, 1979, in the heart of Sullivan, IN, she lived a life that was as vibrant and effervescent as her ever-present smile.

Melissa's journey began on a picturesque farm in Porterville, surrounded by the warmth of family and the splendor of nature. Her childhood was a tapestry of cherished memories created in various locales, including Palestine and Stoy, before graduating from Oblong High School in 1997. Her zest for life was evident early on; she was the spark of her family, lighting up every room with her infectious giggle and her uncanny ability to publicly embarrass her parents by saying exactly what was on her mind!

Education was a stepping stone in Melissa's life, and she embraced it with open arms, spending a year at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale before honing her skills at Olney Central College. Her professional path was as diverse as her interests, from working at UPS to serving as an administrative assistant at Richland Manufacturing. Eventually, Melissa's talent and dedication led her to Heartland Dental in Effingham, where she rose to the role of project coordinator, a testament to her exceptional work ethic and her knack for leadership.

Melissa's interests were as colorful and dynamic as her personality. Her culinary skills were legendary, especially her coconut, pecan, and lemon pies, and Thanksgiving was a time for her to shine, sharing her talents with those she held dear. She was an adventurer at heart, having explored the scenic beauty of states like West Virginia and Tennessee alongside her husband Loren on their side-by-side. Her passion for travel was matched only by her love for fast cars - though she always wanted a Dodge Hellcat, we're glad that dream never came to fruition, as her lead foot would have surely led her behind bars!

Fishing at the family pond and engaging in retail therapy on Amazon were among the simple pleasures that brought her immense joy. Her generosity knew no bounds, especially when it came to her cherished nieces and nephews, whom she spoiled with innumerable toys and a generous helping of sweets. Melissa's canine companions, first Lexi and then Coco, also benefitted from this dear woman's affection and care.

Melissa Zerkel's legacy lives on in our memories of her adventurous spirit, her boundless generosity, and her loving heart. She taught us to seize every moment with both hands and to approach life with gusto and a smile. She showed us that to love is to give unconditionally, to laugh is to live fully, and to be generous is to enrich the world around us. We will always remember Melissa, not with sorrow, but with the joy she infused into every aspect of her life. Her story may have ended, but her influence is eternal.

She married Loren Zerkel on September 5, 2009, and he survives. She is also survived by her father, Clell Fry; her brother & sister-in-law, Kevin & Lindsey Fry; her brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Paul & Dawn Zerkel, Jon & Jane Ann Zerkel, and Lynn & Michelle Zerkel; her beloved nephews and nieces, Blake Fry, Riley Kay Fry, Isaac Zerkel, and Macy Zerkel; her father-in-law, Ray Zerkel; as well as many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Rita (White) Fry; by her grandparents, Mac & Virginia White and Bob & Irene Fry; and by her mother-in-law, Elfrieda Zerkel.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3rd, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4th, at the funeral home, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. In honor of her love of dogs, memorials may be made to the "Humane Society of Olney", with envelopes available at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery.