Melissa Lynne (Ellis) Eckert

December 23, 1969 - October 7, 2022
Melissa Lynne (Ellis) Eckert

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After many years of struggling with heart disease, Melissa Lynne (Ellis) Eckert passed peacefully in her sleep Friday, October 7, 2022. Melissa was preceded in death by her grandparents and her parents, Iris (Evans) Kirby and Donald Ellis. She is survived by her stepdad, Ed Kirby and her son, Jonathan Walsh. She is also survived by her sisters, Dawn, Kristy, and Samantha, brothers, Donnie and Dean, and by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Melissa managed the service department of an auto dealership in Maryland before returning to the Ohio Valley to care for her ailing grandmother then subsequently her mother. Melissa was a brutally honest woman who owned and confessed her past mistakes and shortcomings. In recent years she learned to live in the present and was kind and helpful to those who crossed her path. She was extremely intelligent with a memory like a mind trap and had a wicked sense of humor. Melissa had a soft spot for animals and dearly loved her dog with whom she watched animal documentaries while snuggling on the couch. Being interested in history and politics, Melissa enjoyed watching MSNBC, helped people to get registered and encouraged everyone to vote. Exiting her present life just as she was blooming, and gone too soon at the age of 52, Melissa will be missed by her circle of family and friends. Arrangements are being made at Care Funeral Home. At Melissa’s request, a formal service will not be held. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal shelter.

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  • November 06, 2022
    Kristy says:
    It has taken me a while to be able to sit here and do this. I miss you every day. I miss the morning phone calls, and the visits- whether they were a week or three-week visits. I miss you every single day. I miss how you never remembered to close the door and my dogs would run off every time and you would be yelling and chasing them around like they were chickens and threatening to give them every treat in the world if they would just come back in. I miss the sun behind your smile. I miss the all-night talks and laughs- my God did you have a sense of humor that was surprising and shocking- even to me! I am happy though- happy that I got to know you as a sister, a friend, and one of the smartest people I have known. And I'm grateful to you eternally for showing me that it's about quality rather than quantity. And you are quality! No matter how big or small, you were packed and ready to be there, to love, to do all you can. No questions asked- just there. I know that you are with your mom, Grandma and Papap, and while we are here with unbelievably broken hearts, there is a great joy in having the opportunity to love you. I miss you sister. I miss you, friend. I miss everything that is you. I will cherish every memory I've made with you, and wish I had more- until the day comes that I can see the sun behind your smile again. I love you- to the very depths of me.

  • October 21, 2022
    Erin Havel says:
    I know as an adult you were called Mel. I’m happy that I got to meet Mel at the 4th of July fireworks with my mom, sister and my kids. My memories however always go back to: Dawn and Missi. Walking to the pool. Going to that corner store. Dairy Queen. Playing Charlie’s Angels in Uncle Eddie’s Mustang. Catching lightening bugs. Fighting until Grandma made us, “separate”. I remember going to Kirby’s. Loving Aunt Iris and Kirby. Wearing jeans. Grandma not approving of black shirts. Listening to 8 track tapes singing into our hairbrushes. When we were kids, being with my cousins meant everything to me. I loved hearing, Dawn and Melissa are coming, Donnie, Dean and Kristi will be here, Bari Lyn and Toni are at Grandma and Pap Pap’s. And if David and Doug were there we had The Best hide and seek! Sam was a little later in life, but I remember hearing that Uncle Donnie felt so young having her in his life. I can’t mention one of my cousins without remembering all of you. Grandma and Pap Pap loved us all so much and I fondly remember that feeling of love. Mel, Melissa, Missi, I hope you are with Grandma, Pap-Pap, Your mom and my Aunt Iris, your Dad and my Uncle Donnie (the talented), and everyone else who is free and welcoming you with love and peace. See you on the other side, cousin.

  • October 21, 2022
    Dana Squier says:
    I always loved when you came to town and we'd have sleepovers at Grandma's house. Going to the pool, playing on the slip and slide, trying on my mom's prom dresses, arguing over Jordache jeans vs. Levi's, singing Leader of the Pack, eating Dicarlos pizza and pretending to be Charlie's Angels. Then as adults the many trips to The Mountaineer for dinner, viewing the lights at Oglebay, discussing politics, crabs at Crab Town USA, or Ursa as the Garmin likes to call it, going to the Pumpkin festival, trying to find Brad Paisley's tour bus and tons of laughs. You were my cousin, but also my friend. I will miss you dearly.