MELISSA JO POTTERS
This generous soul brightened so many lives, the angels can’t keep count.
Her greatest joy was her family; she cherished every moment. Luckily for rest of us, her true gift and calling in life was people. Melissa knew everybody, and those she didn’t, soon became a friend.
Born to Darrel and Doris (Kitchel) Rinehart on November 22, 1955, in Richmond. She spent her youth on the family farm in Union County. A Kitchel Elementary cowgirl, she excelled in sports out running the boys which continued into higher grades until a knee injury. She attended high school with a unique class with two years as Short High School and then two years with the consolidation of College Corner becoming Union County High School, graduating in 1974 and later from Miami Jacobs Business College in Dayton, Ohio.
Blessed with her mother’s fashion talent and her dad’s personality, you would find Melissa all over Liberty and the surrounding communities shopping or participating in some activity. Raising two boys in the Cambridge City area while working fulltime, she was a staple at all their events. She loved doing Zumba with her Zumba families in Richmond and Liberty.
Eating out was a passion for Melissa, which stemmed from her childhood as they did go out often all over the area, Ohio and the state. Finding a new place to try was always an adventure.
A career of more than 32 years with Earlham College, afforded her the perfect opportunity to meet and interact with: faculty, staff and especially students from all over the world. She developed lifelong friendships as she became the college “Mom” for so many students of diverse backgrounds, domestic and overseas, starting their academic and life journeys.
Despite her worldly experiences, she still loved being a farm girl and the rural nature of her community. You would see her on the golf cart she loved riding tending her flowers and landscape. She adored her pets (especially a miniature pincher named Murphy) and wildlife of all sorts. She daily feed the cats, birds and whatever ate the leftovers.
She never missed the Indy 500 including the festivities and followed NASCAR, shiny cars in general, especially her 65 Mustang. Her Dad was a good golfer so watching golf on TV became a fun pastime for her and her mother.
She enjoyed modeling women’s clothing for Christopher and Banks women’s store in the mall…and the subsequent discount.
She was an avid Euchre player with family and friends in a card club.
A true patriot, this proud Army Mom sought out active and veteran alike to thank them for their service. She rarely missed a patriotic event or program celebrating our country.
As all mothers and grandmothers do, she adored her children and grandchildren and spoiled them as often as she could.
Melissa was truly a joy to be around, always positive and upbeat, bubbly and vibrant. She always saw the good in everyone.
Needless to say, she will be missed more than can be imagined.
Preceded in death by her Father, Darrel Rinehart. She is succeeded by her mother, Doris Rinehart, brother Andrew (Debbie) Rinehart, her husband, Cecil D. Potters, sons Mark A. Bickford, Staff Sargent Matthew (Jennifer) Bickford, grandchildren: Jackson, Avery and Kenna, and stepdaughter, Sally J. Potters
Visitation will be Friday September 16, from 4 – 8 p.m. at Urban Winkler Funeral Home in Liberty, IN.
Funeral service is Saturday September 17, at 11 a.m., at Christ United Church, 3430 Backmeyer Road, Richmond, IN 47374 with Brett Karanovich officiating.
Graveside services for the family only following at Glen Haven Cemetery.
A memorial contribution can be made to the Union County Foundation in Melissa’s memory, at the funeral home or www.ucfoundationince.org/donate