Melinda Sue Barto

Melinda Sue Barto, 65, of Avilla, Indiana, passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2026, in her home in Avilla. She was born on November 18, 1960, to Robert and Eileen (Spence) Henry, in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.

Melinda was a sweet soul who loved her family first and foremost. She was a very caring and generous person who would do anything for those that she knew and loved. She was sassy, spunky, independent and a fighter until the very end. Melinda loved children, even though she could only have one of her own, she served and nurtured children her whole career through child daycare services, and she spent 20 years at the Kendallville Day Care.

Melinda and Denny were side by side for 23 years. They loved to visit the beaches, where Melinda enjoyed sun tanning. Melinda enjoyed the ocean, fishing, and boating. She also enjoyed gardening, canning, preserving and baking. At Christmas, Melinda gifted her goodies to family and friends. Denny was by her side taking great care of her the whole way through her cancer journey and health issues over the last few years. She was loved dearly by all, and she will truly be missed.

Surviving Melinda are her longtime companion Dennis “Denny” Weimer, of Avilla; brothers Terry Henry, of Texas, Gregg (Linda) Henry, of New York, James (Karen) Henry of Wisconsin, and Chuck Henry, of Texas; sisters Marilyn (Tom) Ayars, of Georgia, Michele (Rick) Russo, of Georgia, and Marsha Ford, of Indiana; nieces and nephews Sherri (Gary) Copeland, Shelli (Mark) Dikeman, Patrick (Michele) Henry, Dawn (Eric) Brasch, Eric (Amanda) Henry, Aaron (Andrea) Henry, Amber (Jeremy) Herman, Brooke Ayars, Justin (Tiffany) Ayars, Thomas (Courtney) Goulder, Corie (Linae) Bursey, Josh Bursey,  and Terra (Ray Edmonson) Henry; and granddaughter Ryleigh Weimer.

Preceding Melinda in death are her son Cris (Carissa) Ellsworth, her parents Robert and Eileen Henry, sister Mary Brandt, nephews Jimmer Henry, Scott Henry, and Shawn Henry, and niece Sharlene Wolcott.

There will be no services at this time.

Care of the Barto family by Harper Funeral Homes, Albion & Avilla.

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