Melissa C. (Stevens) Howell age 37 of Rockford, formerly of New Bremen, died suddenly on Monday, April 4, 2016 at 2:52 P.M. in the emergency room of the Van Wert County Hospital, Van Wert, Ohio.

She was born on January 26, 1979 in Marion, Illinois, the daughter of Cathy (Wellman) Stevens of Celina and Robert Stevens of Illinois. On October 31, 2014 she married Wayne Howell, and he survives in Rockford.

Also surviving is a son Dallas Smith of Rockford, a brother Rob (Deb) Stevens of Radcliff, Kentucky, a niece Britenee Stevens, and her maternal grandparents Mack and Vernita (Brockman) Wellman of New Bremen.

Melissa attended school at New Bremen, and was a 1997 graduate of Michigan City High School, Michigan City, Indiana. She was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in New Bremen. She was a homemaker who was devoted to caring for her family, and had a special love for her dogs and cats.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 8, 2016 at 4:00 P.M. at the Gilberg-Hartwig Funeral Home in New Bremen with the Rev. Becky Erb Strang officiating.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 8, 2016 from 1:00 P.M. until the time of the services at the funeral home.

Contributions in memory of Melissa may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Condolences to Melissa's family may be left online at gilberghartwigfh.com.