Melissa Mueller

Melissa "Missy" Ann Mueller, 35, of Whitefish, passed away Sept. 27, 2005, at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center of natural causes.

She was born in Whitefish on April 4, 1970, the daughter of John "Jack" and Florence Barnes. Missy married Fred Mueller in February 2003 in Whitefish.

Missy graduated from Whitefish High School with the class of 1988. She loved working with children, and when her health allowed, she worked at the Whitefish Head Start and at the Salvation Army as a day-care kitchen aide. Many will remember her smiling face at Flathead Video. She also loved working with the children at St. Charles Boromeo Church in Whitefish.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Ray and Irene Barnes; maternal grandparents Elmer and Ina Billsborough; and infant brother Del Ray James Barnes, who will get his first hug from her in heaven.

She is survived by her husband Fred, daughter Melissa Lime and her parents, all of Whitefish; brother Chuck Barnes and wife Tina, in Gig Harbor, Wash.; her very special in-laws, John and Audrey Mueller, in Kalispell; her grandmother Irma Smithers, in Eureka; and by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, at St. Charles Catholic Church with Father Pat Patton, celebrant.

At her request, inurnment will be under her grandfather's apple tree at the family farm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to her daughter, Melissa Lime. A custodial account has been set up in her name at the Whitefish Credit Union in Whitefish.