Melody Ruggles, 43

Melody Lynn Ruggles, age 43, of Three Rivers went to be with her Lord Wednesday, August 20, 2014. She left from her home with her loving family by her side after a courageous battle with colorectal cancer . She was born in Berwyn, IL on July 24, 1971, the daughter of Oren and Marilyn(Allen)Shoemaker.

Melody graduated from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1989. She went on to attend Western Michigan University where she was working on her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy. Melody was a woman of passionate faith in God, a faith which sustained her during her life and illness and, continues to sustain and inspire her family and friends. She loved reading books, and her Bible is a treasure she leaves behind for us. Melody was a very active and fun-loving person who enjoyed shopping, especially for purses and shoes. She also was an avid University of Michigan Football fan and enjoyed attending many of those games with her friends and family. Melody was an animal lover as well, and enjoyed spending time with her dogs, Baxter, Lexi, and Gus. She truly loved spending time with her friends and family and cherished life to the fullest.

Melody was preceded in death by her beloved dachshund, Sadie.

She leaves to cherish her loving memory, husband, Daniel Ruggles of Three Rivers whom were united in marriage on October 30, 1999; parents, Oren and Marilyn Shoemaker of Three Rivers; daughter, Jynell (Clint) Tackett of Vicksburg, MI; son, Nicholas (Ashley) Ruggles of Three Rivers; granddaughter, Rylee Ballard; grandmother, Ruby Shoemaker of Worth, IL; sister, Rhonda (Gary) Stahl, of Three Rivers; father and mother-in law, Elwin (Beverly) Ruggles; sister-in-laws, Kathy (Steve) Whitney of Parker, CO and Beth (George) Drew of Three Rivers; many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until time of memorial service at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2014 at New Hope Assembly of God Church; 56652 Buckhorn Rd; Three Rivers, MI 49093 with Pastor Steve Miller officiating.

Private interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery of Three Rivers.

Memorial donation in memory of Melody may be directed to The Colon Cancer Alliance. Envelopes will be available at New Hope Assembly of God and Hohner Funeral Home in lieu of floral arrangements.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hohnerfh.com.