- Date Of Birth: October 18, 1926
- Date Of Death: July 4, 2015
- State: Michigan
MELLIS, Virgina K., MI On July 4th Virginia Krautheim Mellis went out with a bang surrounded by fireworks and her family, touting her true firecracker spirit. She was born on October 18, 1926 in St. Louis, Missouri to William and Irma Krautheim. After graduating from Washington University she married Dr. Richard Thomas Mellis on June 21, 1950. They moved to Kalamazoo in 1956. She was an active member in First Presbyterian Church where she served as past president of John Dunning Guild. As a member of Kalamazoo Medical Auxillary, she volunteered as President, Vice President, Blood Drive Chair, and Social Chair.
Virginia was a member of Newcomer’s Club, Service Club, Bronson Hospital volunteer and an alumna member of Delta Gamma Social sorority. Her hobbies included Bridge, travel, and hanging out with her family. She is survived by her children Randolph William Kim Mellis from Kalamazoo, Lesley Thomas Schuldt from Steamboat Springs, CO, and Kathryn Donald Harper from Tyrone, GA; her grandchildren, Michelle Justin Guritz, Chad Stephanie Mellis, Hans Schuldt, Heidi Evan McClure, Jessica Matthew Guasco, Sara Harper, and Kaitlin Harper; and her six great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard, brother, William Krautheim, and great granddaughter Audrey Elizabeth Mellis. Even Virginia would agree that the Fourth of July was an appropriate day to celebrate the next chapter in her life. She was fiercely independent and everyone who knew and loved her admired her spirit.
