Mellissa Rose Alday

Kendallville – Mellissa Rose “Missy” Alday, 81, of Kendallville, passed away surrounded by her family at Lutheran Life Villages in Kendallville on Monday, Feb 23, 2026.  She was born on Feb 22, 1945, in Fort Wayne, to Robert and Roberta (Gwin) Ruby.  Missy enjoyed many things, including reading, traveling to Michigan to visit family, Sunday drives with her husband, and especially spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She worked for Kmart for several years, and more recently worked for Hey’s Tap in Avilla.  By far, her favorite job was as crossing guard for the Avilla School.  On April 5, 1975, in Fort Wayne, she married Charles “Charlie” Alday.  He passed away on July 24, 2022. 

She is survived by her children, Michelle Alday, of Ohio, Tommy (Heather) Mills, of Ohio, and Joe Mills, of Georgia; grandchildren, Kimberly (George) Norden, Jacob (Alyssa) Barner, Colton Barner, Cody Mabis, Hannah Crumrine and Trey Mills; and great-grandchildren, Nicholas, Kaitlynn, Allison, Harlow, Naomi, and Jayden.  In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by daughters, Hope Alday, in 1979, and Darlene Barner, in 2019, her parents, and brother Robert Ruby, Jr.

Funeral service will be 11:00am, Monday, March 2, 2026, at Harper Funeral Homes, Avilla Chapel, 530 N. Main St., Avilla, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Visitation also from 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the funeral home.  Burial will be at a later date at Riverside Cemetery in St. Joe, Indiana. 

Contributions in Missy’s memory may be directed to Boomerang Backpacks Program (specify Avilla School).  To sign the online guestbook or leave a condolence, visit www.harperfuneralhomes.com

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