Melissa Jo Wright-Butler

Melissa Jo Wright-Butler, 45, of Battle Creek, went home to be with her Savior on October 4, 2021, after a courageous battle with EHE cancer. She left this world with her earthly family at her side to join her heavenly family's outstretched arms.

Melissa was born on April 9, 1976 in Battle Creek to Mark Louis Wright and Lori (Collins) Kendricks. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School in 1994. She worked as a parts handler at Tokairika, a mail carrier and sorter at the Post Office, at Verona Elementary School and was a stay at home mom between 2006 and 2015. Melissa lived in Central Florida from 2005 to 2012. She started her 17 year relationship with Gary Butler in August of 2004 and were united in marriage in Davenport, FL on July 7, 2007.

Melissa's greatest personal achievement was her work at Verona Elementary School, where she acted as a liaison between students, parents and teachers, which included community outreach to food banks, churches and the Charitable Union to make sure that students had access to resources. She liked being able to help others, going to the casino, and listening to country music. She also enjoyed watching NASCAR and the Green Bay Packers.

Melissa is survived by her loving husband, Richard "Gary" Butler II; her children, Mark Louis Butler, Jacob Matthew Butler; stepchildren, Richard Gary "Ricky" Butler III, and Harold "Andy" Butler; mother Lori and stepfather, Milford Kendricks of Albion; brother Tommy and his wife, Joanna Wright of Climax; and paternal grandfather Norman "Red" and grandmother, Charlotte Wright of Lima, IL.

Melissa's family will hold a memorial service Saturday, October 16, 2021 at W.K. Kellogg Auditorium starting at 5:00 p.m. Memorials in Melissa's honor may be directed to St. Jude's Children's Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the EHE Foundation (www.fightehe.org). Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home and Cremation Care is assisting with arrangements. Personal messages and memories may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.