Peggy L. Mellish

ELKHART — Peggy L. Mellish, 88, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2018, at the Center for Hospice Care in Elkhart.

Peggy was born May 6, 1930, to Robert Bruce and Lessie (Jones) Mollenkopf in Fort Wayne.

She married William Mellish on Dec. 20, 1952; he survives along with a son, Tom (Cynda) Mellish of Crawfordsville, and a daughter, Connie (Nick) Mark of South Bend; four grandchildren,  Kate (Peter) Winton, Ryan (Jessica McGinn) Mellish and Todd (Olivia) Mellish, all of Indianapolis, and Nick (Megan) Marzotto, of Madison, Wisconsin; three sisters-in-law, Nancy Mercier, Joyce Mollenkopf and Sally Mollenkopf; six nephews and one niece.

She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Nancy Crow and a brother, Evan Mollenkopf.

Peggy graduated from Convoy (Ohio) High School in 1952 and received her bachelor’s degree from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, where she was affiliated with Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority.

She earned a master’s degree in 1970 from Indiana University South Bend.

Peggy was a teacher for Elkhart Community Schools for 25 years, teaching at Weston, Mary Daly and Mary Beck Elementary Schools.

She was also a physical education teacher for several elementary schools.

Following her retirement in 1989, Peggy was a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for children.

She was past president of the Elkhart Retired Teachers Association and the Indiana Retired Teachers Association.

Peggy received the Sagamore of the Wabash award from the late Gov. Frank O’Bannon for her years of service with the IRTA volunteer participation project.

She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star.

In accordance with her wishes, Peggy’s remains were donated to Indiana University Medical School to assist in the education of future physicians, dentists and physical therapists.

A gathering of friends and family will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at the Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Indiana Retired Teachers Association Foundation, 2629 Waterfront Parkway E. Drive, Suite 105, Indianapolis, IN 46214.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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