John Russell Melow

     John Russell Melow, age 61, of Ithaca, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 16, 2024.
     A gathering to celebrate his life will be held at Ithaca Community Center, 120 North Maple Street, Ithaca, MI, 48847, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 1:00-3:00 P.M. There will be a short program and much time for sharing and fellowship. Please, honor the family and join us in celebrating the life of this friend, brother, father, and grandfather.
     John was born in Detroit, Michigan on April 19, 1963, the son of Ivan and Muriel (McMahon) Melow. He was a graduate of Ithaca High School with the Class of 1981.
     John worked at C & S Steel as a fabricator for most of his career. He also did tree trimming, roofing, and worked as a locksmith. He was an excellent artist in many different media, and shared that gift freely with friends and family. John liked baseball and loved watching his grandson, Mason, play football. He was a lifelong Lions fan and loved to go fishing with family and friends. He was a true WWII aficionado. He spent thousands of hours over his life playing board games like Axis & Allies and Risk. He knew as much about WWII history as some experts.
     John is survived by his daughter Brandilyne Melow and her fiance Nikkolas Baird of Ithaca, MI; daughter Samantha Melow of Ithaca, MI; grandson Mason; his sister Pamela (Joe) Strange of Alabama; his sister Melody (Donald) Eichorn of Texas; his brother Raymond (Sandy) Melow of Alma, MI; and his brother Gary (Valorie) Melow of Ithaca, MI. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Cynthia Ostrander and her husband, brother-in-law Keith Ostrander.
     Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.