Mellissa Richmond

Mellissa Marie Richmond, age 63, of Zion, Illinois, passed away on October 15, 2026.

She was Born on November 5, 1962, in Toppenish, Yakima County, Washington.

Attended her first 3 years of High School in Florida and then moved to Toppenish, Washington where she graduated.

After High School she joined the U.S. Navy, attended Yeoman (YN) school and on completion of school was transferred to Patrol Squadron Ninety One (the Squadron flew the P-3 Orion aircraft), then she was transferred to Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois, where she completed her Navy career. She earned the rank of YN2 and the Good Contact Medal. After the Navy she still served by becoming a volunteer Navy Family Ombudsman at Naval Air Station Glenview.

She worked mainly in Banking and Credit Union jobs, for around 30 years, then spent 5 years working at Walmart where all the people she worked with spoke very highly of her and her work ethic, always positive, able to joke with people to make them feel better.

Enjoyed meeting, talking and taking pictures with celebrities and have met well over 200. Such as Jason Momoa, Kit Harington, Billy Bob Thornton, Debbie Reynolds, Liza Minnelli, Tony Curtis, Mickey Rooney, Jane Seymour, Chris Hemsworth (who let her rub his belly), Alice Cooper, Henry Winkler (who she stated was the nicest person she ever met.) Stan Lee, John Cleese, Eric Idle,  Betty White, Drew Barrymore, Jim Belushi, Lou Gossett Jr., Big Bird (Caroll Spinney), Mike Tyson, Dennis Rodman, Band members from Kiss, Gene Simmons, Val Kilmer, Ernest Borgnine, George Kennedy, Linda Blair, Eric Roberts, Molly Ringwald, Susan Sarandon, Carrie Fisher, Michael York, many main cast members of the 1960’s Batman, Lost in Space, Star Trek, The Brady Bunch, Laverne and Shirley, Animal House, American Graffiti, A League of Their Own, Star Wars and many, many more.

Enjoyed travel such as trips to the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, Disney Land, New Orleans, Canada,  Branson Missouri, Seattle, Washington DC, Mackinac Island, Meteor Crater in Arizona, Wisconsin Dells to name a few also traveled Route 66 in AZ, Mo, Il.  Went to State Fairs in Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri. Was at Southern Illinois University for the Full Solar Eclipse in Carbondale, Illinois in 2017.  Liked taking Amtrak with a sleeper car.

Volunteered at the Shalom Center helping to  serve hot meals and at the Safe Harbor Humane Society fostering kittens till they were ready to adopt. Former member of American Legion Post 771.

Met her husband Donald in the Navy at Patrol Squadron Ninety One, they were married at Moffet Field Chapel, Moffet Naval Air Station, lasting for 44 years till her passing. Raised three daughters, Paula, Amber, Lisa. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother. The lessons she taught, her kindness and the love she gave freely touched our lives and others in countless ways.  She did suffer off and on over the loss of her only son during childbirth. Loved all our pet’s and stated she knows they will all be together again.

She is survived by her husband Donald, 3 daughters Paula, Amber, Lisa, 4 grandchildren Paul, Daniel, Marjorie & Naomi.  Also her siblings Robin Fike, Troy Fike, & Randy Fike.

Her inurnment into our columbarium niche (she referred to this as our long-term retirement  condo) will be on Tuesday 3 November, 2026 at 10 a.m.   Place:  Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, 1436 Kenosha Road, Zion, IL 60099

To my Beloved Wife

May Mother Earth comfort you and guide you spirit.

May Father Sun keep you warm and light the way for your spirit.

May the Universe Great Spirit take your spirit to a place where you will always be happy.

May all our spirits be joined when it’s our time to move on.

For you are loved and will be missed.