Obituary of Melinda Markgraff

Melinda Jill Massengill was born in Dearborn on August 25, 1975. She was the daughter of Janet (Larry) Kurtz of Monroe and Thomas (Leslie) Massengill of Ridgeway. Melinda attended Monroe High School graduating with the class of 1993. Melinda always said she hadn't done anything extraordinary yet with her life, but Melinda gave the extraordinary gift of Life, to her daughter Kursten Lorin. Melinda was a loving mother and cherished every moment she spent with her daughter. She helped support her family working as a Hotel Manager for Choice Hotels International for past five years. Melinda was an avid sports fan of the University of Michigan, Tiger Baseball and also a Detroit Lions fan. If a ball could fly through the air for her to catch she would have loved it. Melinda also loved to play the game of golf; it was known that her favorite thing to do was swing her clubs. Melinda also loved to spend her time with her family and friends any chance she had. One of Melinda's wishes was to take a ride in a black Jeep Wrangler. Thanks to a very special friend, her wish came true the day before the portal opened. She enjoyed a cruise downtown Monroe with her close friends. Melinda Jill Markgraff, age 38 finally broke through the chains that bound her to this earth after a brave and courageous battle to get her through the portal to Heaven on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 at Mercy Memorial Hospital her loving family and friends were by her side. Melinda gave the gift of sight through eye donation after her passing. In addition to her grandparents, her passing was preceded by a sister: Cherie Massengill. To cherish her memory Melinda leaves a daughter: Kursten "Miss Kay", "Toots" Markgraff of Toledo; her parents: Janet (Larry) Kurtz of Monroe and Thomas (Leslie) Massengill of Ridgeway; a brother: Derek (Katie) Kurtz of Monroe; and two nephews: Gavin "My Dude" and Kaison "My Guy" Kurtz. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm on Thursday, August 7, 2014 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 11:00am on Friday, August 8 also at Merkle's with Pastor Angela Blunt from Christ Love Fellowship Church officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Jan (Larry) Kurtz Family. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.