Melissa Cress Wickwire, 20 May 1979 - 21 Dec 2015

WICKWIRE, CRISWELL, MCATEE, STROBEL

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 1/20/2016 at 16:07:01

Melissa (Criswell) Wickwire
BORN: May 20, 1979
DIED: December 21, 2015
LOCATION: Grinnell, Iowa

Melissa (Criswell) Wickwire, age 36, of Grinnell, died on Monday, December 21, 2015, at Mercy Medical Center – West Lakes in West Des Moines, Iowa.

A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 28, 2015, at the Grinnell Christian Church with pastor John Epperson officiating. Pallbearers are Charlie Criswell, Cindy Strobel, Tyler Graham, Tim McAtee, Jr., Seth McAtee, and Nick Long. Honorary bearers are Sam and Olivia Strobel, Caleb, Ryan and Eli Criswell, Ashley and Landon Criswell, Kevin Long, and her sons, Jake and Jared Wickwire. Melissa will be laid to rest next to her grandparents, Chuck and Twyla Mae McAtee at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

Visitation will be begin at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Smith Funeral Home and her family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be designated to the Melissa C. Wickwire Memorial Fund, to benefit her two sons' college education funds. Memories and condolences may be shared online with her family at www.smithfh.com.

Melissa Cress (Criswell) Wickwire was born the daughter of Larry Eugene Criswell and Patricia Sue (McAtee) Criswell on May 20, 1979, in Grinnell, Iowa. She was raised in Grinnell and graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1997. She then attended Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids.

On March 27, 2004, Melissa was united in marriage to Alan Jeffrey Wickwire at the Christian Church in Grinnell. They were blessed with two sons, Jake and Jared. Melissa was a dialysis technician for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Melissa's family meant everything to her. She was a strong supporter of her sons' school and sports activities. She would do any activity, even if she didn't particularly like it, as long as it meant she would be with her husband and two boys. She will be remembered for her kind, gentle, fun-loving spirit and for the love of her family.

Melissa is survived by her husband of eleven years, Alan J. Wickwire of Grinnell; her boys, Jake and Jared; parents, Larry and Pat Criswell of Grinnell; sister, Cindy Strobel of Grinnell; brother, Charlie (Katie) Criswell of Grinnell; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents; William and Lela Criswell; and maternal grandparents, Chuck and Twylamae McAtee.

Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell
The Journal Tribune, 20 Jan 2016, pg 5