Michele L. Rief Medford

Michele L. “Missy” Rief Medford, 49 of Elkhart, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday December 4, 2018.

She was born on Feb. 24, 1969 in Elkhart to Ronald and Diane (Kindle) Rief. She married Allen L. Medford on Feb. 20, 2015 in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. He survives along with her son, Austin M. Ham of Elkhart; step-children, Andrew and Amy Medford both of Elkhart; 4 Step-grandchildren; brother, Marc (Johnna Schrock) Rief of Vandalia, Michigan; parents, Ronald and Diane Rief of Ft. Myers, Florida; aunt, Cheryl (Mike) Books of Phoenix, Arizona and several nieces and nephews, including Emillea, Carter and Kindall Rief. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Alexis M. Ham on March 2, 2017.

Missy graduated from Concord High School and Elkhart Beauty College. She also had attended I.U.S.B. Missy was a cosmetologist for 30 years and had worked at Shear Perfection for many of those years. She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and volunteered her time and resources for numerous organizations. She loved her family and traveling.

Visitation for Missy will be from 2-6 pm Sunday, Dec. 9th at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home and an hour prior to the Requiem Mass on Monday, Dec. 10th at 11 am at St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church, Elkhart. Pastor Terri Peterson will officiate. Burial will follow at Rice Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to the Mennonite Relief Fund-What’s Next Foundation, an affiliate of Everence, for the What’s Next: Alexis Michele Ham Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund provides a week at Camp Millhouse, a camp specially designed for people with special needs, for anyone who cannot afford it. Online donations can be made at Camp Millhouse. Under the billing information there will be a place to put the note: What’s Next: Alexis Michele Ham Scholarship Fund.

Mailing address: Mennonite Foundation; P.O. Box 483, Goshen, IN 46527.

Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.