Karrie Lee Melvin

Karrie Melvin was born Sept. 21, 1973, in Okinawa, Japan, the daughter of Douglas and Brenda (McFarlin) Melvin. Karrie passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2018, at her home in Grand Rapids.

Karrie was a graduate of Hartford High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree from Ferris State University. She was formerly employed as an assistant manager for Elder-Beerman in St. Joseph. She loved to read, watch movies, plays, and play with her cats. Karrie enjoyed girl's nights out, loved her nieces and nephews and just being with all of the family.

The family will welcome friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, July 27, 2018, at the Calvin Funeral Home, Hartford. A celebration of life service to honor Karrie's memory will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the Hartford United Methodist Church. The Rev. Ryan Wenburg will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Diamond Blackfan Anemia Foundation, P.O. Box 1092, West Seneca, N.Y. 14224. Memorial condolences for the family can be left at http://www.calvin-leonardfh.com.

Karrie leaves behind a loving family that includes her mother, Brenda of Grand Rapids; her grandparents, Richard and Maxine Melvin of Hartford; a sister-in-law, Jennifer Melvin; a brother-in-law, Jeff Dawes; three nephews: Christian Snipes and Nicholas Melvin of Surprise, Ariz. and Joshua Dawes of Grand Rapids; a niece, Lindsey Dawes of Grand Rapids; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Karrie was preceded in passing by her father, Douglas; a sister, Lorri Dawes; a brother, Steffen Melvin; and her grandparents, James "Bob" and Dorothy McFarlin.