Melodee Ann Kalinke, 78, of Morgan Township went to be home with her Lord on Christmas morning 2024. She began her earthly journey on November 21, 1946, in Kendallville, IN as the daughter of Bernard LaVon & Mariam Adell (nee Long) Bassett, graduating as Salutatorian of Lagrange High School then attending the International Business College in Fort Wayne. Melodee began her 21-year career with McGill’s Manufacturing in Culver, IN which took her to their Morgan Township and Valparaiso locations as Traffic Manager and Buyer. Her second career with Marc T. Nielsen Interiors allowed her creative side to flourish in proximity to the designers where she enjoyed 10 years as a Bookkeeper. This artistic energy was then transferred into her penchant for gardening and landscape design which she exhibited at home and at Angelcrest Cemetery.
Always a woman of great faith and spirituality, Melodee nurtured her Christianity with membership at Heritage Lutheran Church where she involved herself in Sunday school activities, AAL leadership, funeral luncheons, Bible studies and particularly LWML (Lutheran Women’s Missionary League). She and Jim became avid Valparaiso University sports fans, especially the women’s and men’s basketball games where Melodee could always be found diligently keeping all of her own statistics from her prominent seat in the center of section “H”. They became a talisman of sorts for the women’s team during Keith Freeman’s tenure and were invited to travel with them on road trips on the team bus.
On May 6, 1967, in Rochester, IN she married James E. Kalinke who survives along with their sons: Kirk (Marianne) Kalinke of Morgan Township & Kevin Kalinke of Indianapolis, grandchildren: Casey (Josh), Austin (Felicia) & K.J.(Maggie), great-granddaughter, Amalia, sister-in-law, Marsha Bassett of Kendallville and her daughters: Angela (Timothy) Brucker & Laura (John) Herendeen and great nieces & nephews: Kelsey, Alayna, Alivia, Holden & Cole. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Raymond L. Bassett.
A visitation will be held Monday, December 30th from 10 am – 12 noon at Heritage Lutheran Church, 308 Washington St., Valparaiso, with Funeral service beginning at 12:00 noon, Rev. Stan Temme officiating and burial to follow at Angelcrest Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Concordia Seminary (James & Melodee Kalinke Endowment Fund), VNA of NWI Meals-on-Wheels or American Alzheimer’s Association. Click here to watch Melodee's recorded funeral service and video tribute.
Melodee’s family wishes to express their greatest gratitude to the staff of Avalon Springs Legacy unit and to Dunes Hospice for the gentle and compassionate care offered to Melodee through her journey with them and her ultimate homegoing.
GUESTBOOK
Melodee was such a beautiful lady, both inside and out. She will be greatly missed by the rest of the Kalinke family members. We pray for the rest of her family and are here to comfort you and support you in any way. We know that God needed another angel on Christmas Day. We love and will miss you Mel. -Brenda and Keith Kalinke
I’m so sorry to hear of your mom’s passing. You are in our prayers. -Nate and Casey Folkes
I was so sorry to hear of Melodee's passing. Growing up next door, I have many fond memories of Mel. I still think of her often when I fill my bird feeders. I'm sure she will be greatly missed. Much love to the family. -Danielle Lovely
I am so very sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I offer my deepest condolences from me and my family to all of your family in this sad time. May you and your family remember all the good times you had with her and cherish and hold those memories close to your hearts. Prayers to find comfort, peace and healing! -Jeannene Schumacher
Our condolences in your loss of Melodee. -Claudi & Gordon Boyd
Truly a lovely lady. Although we suffer her loss, heaven has gained a gift. -Seth Moseley
My prayers are with you Jim, and the rest of the family during this difficult time. -Theresa (Ptacek) Frame
So sad to hear of Melodee’s passing. May memories of good times together console you in the days ahead. She and I were roommates at business college. We had some great times. God be with you all in the days ahead. -Rob and Sherry Adair
My condolences to Jim and his family. Melodee was a kind person and I'm glad to have known her. -Mark Schelle
I cannot think of Jim without thinking of Melodee and cannot think of Melodee without thinking of Jim. Such an amazing, fun couple with deep faith and love. A couple who built a beautiful life together. To Jim: I am so sorry for the loss of the “love of your life”. The pain must feel unbearable. I cannot imagine. My prayers are for you to find a way forward with a healing heart. My thoughts and prayers to the family during this difficult time. -Diane Yavor
My deepest condolences to the family and all the friends of Melodee. I loved working with her at Marc t. Nielsen Interiors all those years. Even after she retired, I’d call once in a while to see if she could help us figure something out. I was so disheartened when I called one time and Jim told me of her health struggles. Godspeed Melodee. Heaven has another beautiful angel. -Valerie Steil
Jim, I am so sorry for your loss. She was a lovely lady. -Susan Rosaschi
My condolences to you Jim and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. -Dan Bontrager
Our condolences to you and your family on the loss of Melodee. We cannot imagine how challenging the past few years were for all of you. We feel blessed to have known Melodee and witnessing her many marvelous qualities including her sense of humor. The pain you and your family endured during her illness will one day be overridden by all of the joy she brought to all of you and so many others. God bless Mel and the Kalinke family. -Larry and Debby Omo
So sorry to hear of your loss. God has gained another angel. Jim, my prayer is for the entire family. However, I offer a special one for you to begin this journey with Mel's memory beside you every step of the way. With heartfelt sympathy. -Bonnie Artley
Jim, I learned this week of Mel's passing and I offer my most sincere condolences to you and your family. I remember well when you and Mel visited Guadalajara and she impressed all because she radiated friendship and was always happy. I offer my prayers my friend and I know that as a religious man you'll accept that she's in a better place than all of us: in the presence of our Lord Jesus. Take care my friend. -Rafael Enciso
