Melissa Ann (Bell) Ashby, 58, Ft. Wayne, passed away on Wednesday morning, October 22, 2025, at her residence.
Born March 5, 1967, in Peru, Indiana, she was the daughter of Sharon Marie (Bell) Bloomfield and Bobby Leon Varney. On February 14, 1987, at the Perrysburg Baptist Church, she was married to Jeffrey Woodrow Ashby, and he survives.
Melissa was a 1985 graduate of Peru High School where she was a member of the school band. She went on to graduate from Ivy Tech Community College where she earned several certificates of achievement and was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She attended Abundant Life Ministries, Kokomo, and had been an active member of Community CRC in Fort Wayne prior to its closing. She enjoyed reading, watching movies, listening to podcasts, and was always taking photos. More importantly, she was an active mom and wife who was always taking her kids to sporting events and after-school activities, enjoying car shows with her husband, or relaxing with her entire family at a campground.
Survivors include her husband, Jeff Ashby, Ft. Wayne; daughter, Erika L. Ashby, Ft. Wayne; son, Shane M. Ashby, Huntington; father, Bobby (Dianna) Varney, Huntington; stepson, Brian Hullet, Kentucky; two step-grandchildren, Zeke Hullet, and Zaiden Hullet, both of Kentucky; several siblings, David Wilhelm, Andrea Dombrosky, Theresa Varney, and Bobby Varney.
She was preceded in death by her mother; a sister, Pam Bedwell; and her mother-in-law, Joyce Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, with her father-in-law, Pastor Woody Ashby, officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery, Mexico, Indiana.
Visitation will be held from 4-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Greenlawn Cemetery.
McClain Funeral Home, Denver, Indiana, has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.mcclainfh.com.
