Melissa A. Koonce's Obituary
Melissa Ann Koonce, 54 years, of Dupo, Illinois, passed away on March 11th, 2023 at SSM St. Mary’s Hospital. She was born September 27th, 1968 to John "Skip" and Frances L., nee Smith, Koonce.
Before her passing, Melissa Ann Koonce forged a 54-year-old trail of laughter, compassion, witty spirit, saucy t-shirts and friendship. She had a life long love of animals and adopted 3 rescue pups; Shannie, Cabo and Zeus ‘ZuZu’. You could always count on Melissa to stop and greet every dog.
Melissa was a proud Musketeer of Red Bud High School, in Red Bud, IL, class of 1986 and an enthusiastic Saluki Alumna of Southern Illinois University Carbondale; where she received both her Bachelors, Athletic Training, class of 1990, and Masters, Sports Medicine, class of 1995. She went on to be a Medical Assistant for SSM Health for the majority of her career.
In her spare time she supported SIUC sports, attended homecomings, class reunions and alumni functions. Melissa was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinal fan and attended games regularly. Anytime she had saved vacation time, you could find her in San Diego, CA watching whales, visiting the zoo, walking the beach and visiting family and friends. She was an avid reader, loved anything Harry Potter (Ravenclaw House), and Disney. Her favorite Disney princess was Belle, because “she thought for herself”.
Surviving her are her uncles; Joseph Smith of Freeburg, IL, Edward and Sherry Smith of Hollister, MO, aunts; Jerrie Smith (wife of Michael Smith) and Wanda Koonce, cousin ‘sister’, Lisa Openshaw and family, cousins; Amy Smith, Chrystal Dienst and family, Brian Smith and family, Stephanie and Ryan Quick and family, Andrew and Rachel Smith, Jimmy and Romania Skinner, Virginia Sue and Ken Parker, Trudy and Curtis Williams, Bennie and Annett LaCook, Dennis LaCook, Brenda and Bob Rossfld, Allen and Darlene Koonce, Rick and Nancy Koonce, Rhonda and Don Johnson, Jeff and Wanda Koonce, Mike and Kendra Koonce, Phillip and Sabrina Coomer, Joey Coomer and her furry companion Zeus ‘ZuZu’.
She touched the lives of countless classmates, colleagues and friends including, friend ‘niece’, Chelsea Tillman, childhood friends; Kathy Tillman and Kristi Graper and throughout her life she gained many more including, Tracie Wargo, Beth Branch, Matthew Rangel, Orval and Mary Riebeling, Matthew Carpenter, Eileen Majino, Shawn Malone and Dawn “Di” Naughton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; John "Skip" and Frances Koonce, grandparents; William and Gertrude Smith and Chester and Bertha Koonce; Uncle Alfred Smith, Uncle Micheal Smith, Uncle William and Aunt Linda Smith, lifelong friend Tammy Rolfingsmeier and her furry companions Shannie & Cabo.
Visitation will be Saturday, March 18th, 2023 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm, followed by a Committal Service at 5:00pm, at Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo, IL. In addition, her family is planning a Celebration of Life for the upcoming summer, additional details to come.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to the Sarcoma Foundation of America, 9899 Main Street, Suite 204, Damascus, MD 20872 or the Stray Rescue of St. Louis, MO, 2023 Pine Street, St. Louis, MO 63103. Arrangements were handled by Leesman Funeral Home.
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