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Wanda Melion (Cadwell), 71, of Portage, Indiana suddenly passed away on Monday, November 21, 2022, at St. Mary Medical Center. She was born on August 25, 1951, to Donald and Erma Jean Cadwell in Valparaiso, Indiana.
Wanda is survived by her husband, Clarence Melion; her children, son, Brian (Natalie) Johns, and daughters, Amy (Creig) Wilfong, and Emily Johns; her four grandchildren, Billy Murphy, Jay (Erin Shine) Murphy, Kaylee (Shawn Laster) Miller, and Travis Johns; two brothers, Donald Cadwell of New Caney, Texas, and Bruce (Julie) Cadwell of Fort Wayne, Indiana; three sisters, Drucilla (Bob) Geisler, of Green Bay, Patricia (Bob) Cebery, of Glidden, Wisconsin, and Janice (Bill) Koehler, of Ashland, Wisconsin; numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews; along with a multitude of people she considered family. Wanda was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Erma Jean Cadwell and her beloved son, Timothy Johns.
She was the embodiment of love. Through raising her children and many others she touched the lives of numerous children and individuals in her communities. She was involved with Hobart Tiger Sharks, Hobart High School Swimming, 4H, and Girl Scouts. As her children grew, she opened her heart and her home to many children throughout the years. She was always known as Mom or Grammy to all who entered her home.
After the death of her son, she became a Gold Star Mother. This opened up a whole new family to her. She became involved in Indiana Fallen Heroes, Indiana Patriot Guard, Honor and Remember – Indiana, and Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation. She loved to sew and created beautiful embroidered creations to support these organizations.
She was also active in Relay for Life of Lake County. She supported both her daughters through cancer treatment. She was active in craft fairs and many events to support the fight against cancer. Her love and hugs will be greatly missed by her Relay family.
She was an avid runner before injury and illness sidelined her. She had run multiple 5K, 10K, and marathons. She was active with the Calumet Region Striders for many years.
Friends are invited to visit Wanda’s family and celebrate her life on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 370 N. County Line Road, Hobart, IN 46342. Celebration of Life from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests new, unwrapped toys to be donated to Toys For Tots at her memorial or donations to Wounded EOD Warriors at https://eodwarriorfoundation.org
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Wanda was such a lovely person with a genuine heart of gold. She will be missed by everyone that knew her!
She was a great friend. We were friends for 62 years. I will miss her 😢 always.
I’m so sorry 😢 . I remember seeing Wanda and her husband Clarence at many road races over the years. My sincere condolences to Clarence and her daughters
This comes as just entirely-too-sad news, and I can hardly fathom it. Wanda was something like my Striders “running buddy.” Many times we struggled together in races at the back of the pack. Years ago, I actually won a Gold Cup Banquet raffle, and Wanda made me a beautiful quilt out of hard-won T-shirts. It’s just about my most prized possession on earth. It has taken until now for me to see this and respond, hopefully appropriately, because my wife Beth and I were traveling literally out-of-country and over seas. We’ve just returned. I am saddened beyond measure. And this is supposed to be a joyous and festive Christmas Eve? I don’t think I’m “feeling it” this year. Wanda will be missed by me and everyone who knew and loved her for the rest of our days. Rest In Peace, My Dear Friend.